Former UCLA football coach Chip Kelly might have found his new backup quarterback during the Las Vegas Raiders’ game versus the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.
Veteran quarterback Aidan O’Connell entered the game as QB2 for the Raiders behind starter Geno Smith, but he has competed with sixth-round draft pick and QB3 Cam Miller for the primary backup role. Both quarterbacks played in the game, but O’Connell came in after the first drive and Miller entered in the fourth quarter.
O’Connell had a rough outing in the game, completing 18-of-30 passes for 205 passing yards, scoring a touchdown and throwing 2 interceptions for a 63.9 quarterback rating. Miller on the other hand, completed 6-of-7 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown for a 151.5 quarterback rating, according to ESPN.
The sample size was smaller for Miller, but Kelly had to have been impressed with the amount of poise the former North Dakota State Bison showed during the game and his willingness and ability to make big plays late to give the Raiders a 23-23 tie. They had trailed 23-13 in the fourth quarter.
A big difference between O’Connell and Miller was their deep ball. O’Connell tried to hit rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. down the left sideline but he underthrew it, making an easy interception for Seahawk cornerback Josh Jobe.
The Seahawks were ahead 23-13 when Miller pump-faked and hit wide receiver Shedrick Jackson down the right sideline in stride for a 41-yard touchdown. The game would end in a 23-23 tie after Miller led a tying field goal drive and — minutes later — the Seahawks blocked a 55-yard field goal attempt from Raider kicker Daniel Carlson at the end of regulation.
Raiders Wire believes that Miller has a chance to beat out O’Connell for the backup quarterback position. If he continues to make plays like he did against the Seahawks, it would be hard to argue that Kelly didn’t just find his backup quarterback for the 2025 season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Chip Kelly has a decision to make on backup quarterback with Las Vegas Raiders
Reporting by Ryan Lorenz, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
