Yahoo Sports NFL on Aidan O'Connell

ArticleGetting Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell game-ready vital for RaidersAugust 10, 2026

From the article

there are viable reasons as to why O'Connell may be the first man up if something awry occurs to Cousins

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STACKED’s take

Positive signalRole

O'Connell positioned as first backup option; veteran experience provides edge.

The source notes there are viable reasons why O'Connell may be the first man up if something happens to Kirk Cousins; as a fourth-year veteran with 21 games total and 17 starts, he has critical NFL experience that gives him a veteran advantage over rookie Fernando Mendoza, though his newness to Kubiak's offense zaps much of that advantage.