Who Should I Start? Aidan O'Connell or Stetson Bennett

Monday, November 25, 12:18 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping that quarterback Aidan O'Connell (thumb) will be available to take over as the starter in Week 13 on Friday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs now that Gardner Minshew II (collarbone) is out for the rest of the year. O'Connell has been on Injured Reserve since suffering a broken thumb against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, but he's eligible to return to practice this week. If O'Connell isn't cleared, it makes little sense for the Raiders to go outside the organization to look for a starter in a lost season, which would make it unlikely they'd sign Daniel Jones, who was cut by the New York Giants last Friday. If O'Connell can't play against KC, the Raiders will likely start Desmond Ridder. O'Connell would be the better fantasy option over Ridder, but he'd also have very limited upside as a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues against a strong Chiefs defense.

Saturday, August 24, 6:31 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett will serve as the backup for Week 1 and Week 2 of the regular season. This was expected to happen with Jimmy Garoppolo suspended for the first two weeks of the season. Bennett sat out of the preseason finale after starting the first two games. He threw for 437 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions during the preseason. Those aren't exactly great results, but Bennett isn't likely to see the field at all in 2024. Matthew Stafford should be full healthy and ready to go for the season opener. Garoppolo should take over as the primary backup once he's cleared to play, so Bennett is unlikely to play at all unless Stafford gets injured in the first two games.