Latest news with #CamMiller
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Would trading Aidan O'Connell make sense?
Rookie Cam Miller sure impressed in the Silver & Black's preseason opener, didn't he? The Las Vegas Raiders sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State dazzled with arm accuracy and strength on a 41-yard touchdown dime to wide receiver Shedrick Jackson against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday. The play gave us insight on Miller's potential as his eyes and pump fake kept the safety in place while Jackson executed a textbook 'sluggo' (slant and go route) for the fourth-quarter score. The late-round pick finished 6 of 7 passing for 75 yards and that touchdown toss and shortly after, reports surfaced that the Miller selection was fully endorsed by Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. 'If it is true, that's very humbling and honoring to know the best quarterback to ever play the game endorsed me,' Miller said when asked about the endorsement during his media session. Generating buzz isn't a new thing for the North Dakota State product being a prolific FCS signal caller and his outing in the exhibition opener along with practices in training camp certainly opens a roster-spot window for Miller. Caveat here: If Las Vegas keeps three quarterbacks on the active roster. Geno Smith is the unquestioned starter while third-year signal caller Aidan O'Connell currently sits as the backup and Miller at No. 3. O'Connell struggled in comparison to Miller — the former threw too awful interceptions in the first half against Seattle before settling down in the second. The outing does beckon the question: Would it be wise for the Raiders to trade O'Connell? If you look at purely gameday experience, the answer would be no. O'Connell has 20 games under his belt — 17 of those contests were as the Raiders starting quarterback (7-10 win-loss record). This provides Las Vegas a backup who has seen regular season action and knows the trials and tribulations of being an NFL quarterback — all of which Miller doesn't possess, yet. In addition, O'Connell isn't a salary cap burden as he's on his rookie contract still and is very cheap at a $1.157-plus million number this season and $1.272-plus million figure in 2026 (his final year of his initial contract). But there are three other factors that make trading O'Connell a prudent move: Age, longevity, and style. Heading into his third year in the pros, O'Connell is still young but the fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft (135th overall) out of Purdue turns 27 on September 1. He was drafted to be a young developmental prospect, but some will see his age next month as no longer 'youthful'. In comparison, Miller turned 24 on June 18 and fits the bill of young developmental signal caller much better than O'Connell does now. Then there's Smith's longevity. The 34-year-old turns 35 in October but over the course of a three-year span with the Seahawks from 2022 to 2024, Smith missed only two games (during the 2023 season). He started all 17 games for Seattle in 2022 and 2024. Smith absorbed 127 sacks during that span proving to be durable and tough and relegating his backup to clipboard duties for majority of the time. And finally, style. Of the three quarterbacks on the Raiders roster, O'Connell vastly differs from his contemporaries as a pure pocket passer with little to no scrambling ability. While he can move and shuffle in the pocket, I've labeled O'Connell 'Cement Shoes' for his lack of fleet feet. Smith and Miller gives the Raiders offense variety as equal parts passer and rusher. Also keep in mind: O'Connell has no ties to this new Raiders regime of general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. In terms of compensation or potential landing spot for O'Connell, a late-round pick (fifth through seventh) is the likeliest haul for Las Vegas. Former Raiders GM Dave Ziegler, who drafted O'Connell back in 2023, is now the Tennessee Titans assistant general manager and the team has questionable depth behind 2025 No. 1 pick Cameron Ward. Behind the young signal caller are veterans Brandon Allen and Trevor Siemian. O'Connell can provide a familiar face and jump into the competition if the Titans were interested. Yet, one question looms: Do the Raiders trust Miller enough to QB2? As the Raiders continue to embark on training camp and two more preseason games on slate — the first of which is a Saturday tilt with the San Francisco 49ers — that query will continue to be answered. There's no ignoring that the presence of both Smith and O'Connell in the quarterbacks room helps Miller's development, though. 'I think the playbook's a lot different than what it was in college. There's just more verbiage. There's more to know. The game is just more expanded than it was in college,' Miller explained. 'So, yeah, I spent the last three, four months just really diving into that playbook, asking as many questions as I can in the quarterback meetings without being annoying to those guys, asking Geno and Aidan for any sort of tips and reminders that I can use when I'm out there.' Extra Points: Revisiting the three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster notion above, I find it difficult for the Raiders to be able to get Miller on the practice squad come roster cutdown day from 90 to 53. Practice squads are filled after all 32 teams get to the mandated number before the regular season starts and if Las Vegas waived Miller with intent to re-sign him to the taxi squad, another team can put in claim to snag the quarterback.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Young Las Vegas Raiders receiver rising up depth chart after electric preseason showing
Young Las Vegas Raiders receiver rising up depth chart after electric preseason showing originally appeared on The Sporting News The Las Vegas Raiders had multiple players stand out in the team's preseason opener versus the Seattle Seahawks, especially wide receiver Shedrick Jackson. Jackson led the Raiders in receptions (4) and receiving yards (76) on Thursday in Seattle, and the young receiver also hauled in a 41-yard touchdown from quarterback Cam Miller. Due to his electric performance against the Seahawks, Jackson is rising up the Raiders' depth chart. The 25-year-old took second-team reps at practice on Monday and is receiving more opportunities. "Another player who's seemingly converted their preseason showing into more reps is Shedrick Jackson," Levi Edwards of wrote. "He saw second-team reps in Sunday's practice." Jackson entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent two training camps in Cincinnati and even made an appearance in a regular-season game during his rookie campaign. However, Jackson was released by the Bengals in September 2024 and ended up signing with the Raiders' practice squad in December 2024. Now in Las Vegas, Jackson is competing for a roster spot, and if he continues to light it up in the preseason, head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek will have to seriously consider keeping the Auburn product on the 53-man roster heading into Week 1. Las Vegas will host the San Francisco 49ers for a joint practice and preseason game this week. Carroll's squad will finish the preseason on the road versus the Arizona Cardinals. MORE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS NEWS NFL insider reveals Tom Brady's critical role on Las Vegas Raiders Raiders urged to poach Seahawks star with 1 Pro Bowl selection in 2026 NFL free agency Raiders, Lions, Chiefs and 49ers named top trade destinations for 5-time All-Pro receiver Raiders signing 79-game starting safety who was a first-round pick
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Cam Miller's stunning Raiders debut triggers calls to move on from Aidan O'Connell
Cam Miller's debut puts Aidan O'Connell's future in doubt (Image via : Getty Images) Cam Miller could not have asked for a better start to his NFL journey. The rookie quarterback impressed in his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders, delivering an accurate and confident performance against the Seattle Seahawks. His strong showing has now put Aidan O'Connell's role as the backup quarterback under the spotlight and sparked trade talk. Cam Miller 's strong start puts pressure on struggling Aidan O'Connell The Raiders went into the preseason with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter and O'Connell as the No. 2 option. But things may be changing. NFL analyst Moe Moton believes the team could give O'Connell more preseason snaps, not to secure his spot, but to boost his trade value before the regular season kicks off. O'Connell, drafted in the fourth round in 2023 out of Purdue, showed promise in his rookie year. However, against Seattle, he had trouble protecting the football. He completed 60% of his passes but threw two costly interceptions. His performance suggested that he hasn't made much progress since entering the league. INSTANT REACTION: Raiders vs. Seahawks NFL Preseason Week 1 Ft. Cam Miller & Aidan O'Connell Miller, meanwhile, grabbed everyone's attention. The 24-year-old completed six of seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, showing confidence and sharp decision-making. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo He also led a late drive that could have won the game if not for a blocked field goal. For a first preseason outing, it was a performance that will be hard to ignore. Will the Raiders trade Aidan O'Connell after Cam Miller's impressive debut? If Miller continues to play well, the Raiders may decide to promote him to the backup role. That could leave O'Connell as the odd man out and a trade candidate for teams looking for quarterback depth. With his starting experience, O'Connell could still draw interest from franchises needing insurance at the position. Also Read: Jaxson Dart leans on Josh Allen's advice ahead of NFL debut with New York Giants The rest of the preseason will be key in deciding the Raiders' quarterback order. Another strong game or two from Miller could seal his spot as the No. 2 behind Garoppolo and push O'Connell closer to the trade market before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders fans ready to crown Cam Miller QB2 after outstanding NFL debut
Raiders fans ready to crown Cam Miller QB2 after outstanding NFL debut originally appeared on The Sporting News Cam Miller as the QB2? Some Las Vegas Raiders fans are already jumping on the Miller as QB2 train after the rookie had an impressive showing in his preseason debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. Miller had two highlights in particular that were worth mentioning, and his poise in the pocket throughout his debut was very apparent. Upon entering the game about midway through the fourth quarter, Miller connected on a 41-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, who got open off an impressive move. Then, two drives later, Miller rolled out and threw a dart to Jackson near the sideline that enabled the wideout to get out of bounds, giving the Raiders an opportunity at a last-second field goal to win the game. Unfortunately, Daniel Carlson's kick was blocked, resulting in the game ending in a 23-23 tie. Miller finished 6-of-7 for 76 yards and the score, and added one carry for four yards. RELATED:Cam Miller reacts to Tom Brady's endorsement Some Raiders fans were so hyped over Miller's performance that they're ready to make him the backup quarterback to Geno Smith instead of Aidan O'Connell. "Cam Miller QB2," one Raiders fan said. "May be time for Aidan O'Connell to be shipped. A QB-hungry team would like to have him, maybe the Colts since Anthony Richardson got hurt again. Just sayin'." "Cam Miller is making the Raiders QB2 battle interesting with Aidan O'Connell's recent struggles," Chat Sports' Mitchell Renz said. "Cam Miller over Aidan O'Connell, easily," another Raiders fan said. "If some team is willing to trade for O'Connell, Raiders should trade him there and get something in return." "Something I noticed: How did Cam Miller look more poised and calm in the pocket than 3-year vet Aidan O'Connell," one fan wondered. As for O'Connell, he got the bulk of the playing time but didn't look great. He did complete 18-of-30 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two picks. It's a little early to be crowning Miller as the QB2, but he definitely made some headway toward accomplishing that feat on Thursday night, especially given O'Connell's struggles. We can't wait to see Miller in action next week, when the Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on Aug. 16. MORE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS NEWS Seahawks troll Ashton Jeanty after brutal debut Seahawks RB runs into Marshawn Lynch, who is apparently an NFL photographer now Geno Smith stats: How Raiders QB fared in preseason debut Ashton Jeanty stats: Raiders rookie stuffed in disappointing preseason debut Raiders' run defense embarrassed in preseason debut vs. Seahawks
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders rookie QB Cam Miller outperforms Aidan O'Connell in preseason Week 1
The Las Vegas Raiders have a quarterback battle brewing at training camp between Aidan O'Connell and rookie Cam Miller for the backup job. Both quarterbacks played extensively in Thursday's preseason Week 1 23-23 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. There's little doubt that Miller outperformed O'Connell. O'Connell replaced starter Geno Smith after one series. He finished 18-of-30 for 205 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. O'Connell's first interception was a poorly underthrown ball. Rookie receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. had a step on cornerback Josh Jobe, but Jobe was in position to create the takeaway on a ball that didn't have enough air under it. Miller eventually replaced O'Connell and was significantly more impactful. The rookie out of North Dakota State finished 6-of-7 for 76 yards and one touchdown. Miller's 41-yard touchdown toss to Shedrick Jackson was a thing of beauty, with him freezing the defense with a gorgeous pump-fake before uncorking a bomb. Miller's final drive was especially impressive. He led a five-play, 31-yard drive in 20 seconds that positioned the Raiders for a go-ahead field goal. Daniel Carlson's 55-yard attempt was ultimately blocked, but the quarterback did his part to lead a potential game-winning drive. The Raiders' new decision makers inherited O'Connell from the previous regime. GM John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll drafted Miller in the sixth round. There's a decent chance Miller wins the backup quarterback job and O'Connell is traded before the regular season begins. This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders QB Cam Miller outperforms Aidan O'Connell in preseason Week 1
