Multiple Teams In Secret Bidding War For Raiders Star Player
By 813 Staff
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted a promising young quarterback, the league’s quarterback carousel began its annual chaotic spin, and now, just days into the 2026 league year, a significant piece of news has dropped. League sources confirm to the 813 Morning Brief that the Raiders’ front office has already fielded calls from several teams expressing trade interest in that very quarterback, Aidan O’Connell. This early market activity, first reported by Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman), signals that Las Vegas is in a position of unexpected leverage, a scenario that will define their offseason strategy.
The situation stems from the Raiders’ acquisition of a veteran starter last week, a move that immediately reshuffled the depth chart and made O’Connell, who showed flashes of capable play during his tenure, a logical trade candidate. Those close to the situation say the Raiders have been quietly gauging his value for weeks, understanding that a capable 27-year-old quarterback on a team-friendly contract is a valuable commodity in a league perpetually starving for competent passers. The calls coming in now are not mere due diligence; they represent genuine exploratory offers from teams who missed out on bigger names in free agency or are seeking a cost-controlled competitor for their starting job.
Why does this matter for the Raiders? It provides General Manager Tom Telesco with optionality. He is not in a position where he must trade O’Connell, but the presence of multiple suitors could drive up the asking price, ideally netting a Day Two draft pick or a useful veteran player at a position of need. The front office has been quietly rebuilding the roster’s foundation, and an extra asset would accelerate that process. For the league, it’s another ripple in the quarterback market, offering a potential starter solution for a team unwilling to mortgage its future for a draft prospect.
What happens next is a delicate dance. The Raiders will let the market develop, with the combine of the upcoming draft and any remaining free agent quarterback signings likely influencing the urgency of interested teams. Telesco is known for his patience, and he’ll use it here, waiting for an offer that meets his valuation. The uncertainty lies in whether any team will meet that price, or if the Raiders will ultimately hold onto O’Connell as a high-end backup—a luxury, but not one that maximizes asset value. One thing is clear, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking: they are listening, and a deal before the draft is a distinct possibility if the right call comes in.
Source: https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/2031562603386835153
