LAS VEGAS — Purdue University graduate and rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell is reportedly getting to start for the Las Vegas Raiders.
NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport shared the announcement Wednesday morning — which means quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is going to the bench.
The Raiders drafted O'Connell in the fourth round with the 135th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
According to Purdue, O'Connell played in 33 games for the Boilermakers, starting 26 of them. He was named to the All-Big Ten team in 2021 and 2022, and ended his career at Purdue as the school’s all-time leader in completion percentage (66.7%), passing efficiency (141.8) and 500-yard passing games (2).
The Raiders (3-5) host the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 5. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.
Late Tuesday night, the Raiders announced that owner Mark Davis fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler.
McDaniels became the first non-interim coach in the Super Bowl era to be fired by two franchises before the end of his second season.
“After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh and Dave," Davis said in a statement. "I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best.”
The Raiders announced linebackers coach Antonio Pierce will take over as the interim coach. His first game will be Sunday at home against the Giants. He played for New York from 2005-2009.
Las Vegas also announced assistant general manager Champ Kelly will be the interim GM.
The team will conduct searches for replacements for McDaniels and Ziegler after the season.
In February 2018, the Colts announced McDaniels would take over head coaching duties following the firing of Chuck Pagano. However, that same day, McDaniels announced he had decided to stay with the New England Patriots as offensive coordinator.
