Raiders consider trading Aidan O'Connell to Giants amid quarterback injuries

The Las Vegas Raiders are weighing a trade that would send backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell to the New York Giants, a move prompted by the Giants’ sudden need for a quarterback after rookie Jaxson Dart suffered a season‑ending injury in practice on Tuesday.

The speculation comes as the Raiders confront a crowded quarterback room. Derek Carr, the veteran starter, is in the final year of his contract and the team has yet to secure a long‑term successor. O’Connell, a 2022 fourth‑round pick, has spent most of his two seasons on the bench, appearing in only a handful of snaps and completing 58 percent of his passes for 345 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. In New York, the Giants have been scrambling after Daniel Jones was placed on injured reserve and their backup, Tommy DeVito, is also listed as questionable. The loss of Dart, who was expected to be the third‑string option, leaves the Giants with a thin depth chart and a pressing need for a ready‑to‑play quarterback.

Analysts say O’Connell’s modest contract – a three‑year deal worth roughly $4 million with $1 million guaranteed – makes him an affordable target for a Giants team that is already near the salary‑cap limit. Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler is said to be exploring offers that could include a mid‑round draft pick and a conditional late‑rounder, while also preserving the option to retain O’Connell as a developmental piece. Giants head coach Brian Daboll has reportedly expressed interest in a quarterback who can step in immediately without a steep learning curve, and O’Connell’s familiarity with a pro‑style offense could suit that need.

If a trade materialises, it would give the Raiders a draft asset and clear a roster spot for a younger prospect, while the Giants would gain a quarterback who can manage games while they look for a longer‑term solution. The window for a deal is narrow, as both teams must finalize any agreement before the upcoming trade deadline on Oct. 7. Should talks stall, the Giants may turn to free‑agency options, and the Raiders will likely keep O’Connell as insurance behind Carr for the remainder of the season.