Aidan O’Connell says 49ers QB Brock Purdy is ‘an inspiration’

Nov 9, 2023, 3:00 PM

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 05: Aidan O'Connell #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

By now, everyone knows Brock Purdy’s story.

The final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was thrust into the starting role midway through his rookie season after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, leading the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship.

Now, locked in as the 49ers starting quarterback, he’s already inspiring emerging quarterbacks.

While not the final pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders rookie Aidan O’Connell has a similar story. By the end of training camp and preseason, O’Connell was penciled in as the team’s third-string quarterback. But after injuries to Garoppolo and a regime change, the rookie QB is now leading the Silver & Black.

On Wednesday, O’Connell spoke about their similarities and how their Faith is helping them navigate unknown waters.

“He’s vocal about what he believes in and what gets him through the day, what he enjoys and what’s hard for him. And so, I think just being able to hear that from him and someone who’s played in the NFC Championship game,” O’Connell said. “He’s had a lot of success even just in this first year, first couple years. And so, yeah, he is definitely an inspiration to me.”