Raiders will play both quarterbacks against Chiefs

The Raiders’ season finale against the Chiefs on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium could look like a preseason game.

That’s because of the message coach Pete Carroll has sent to players, essentially telling them that they will play if they are on the game-day roster.

That includes quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Aidan O’Connell, who will split time as the injury replacement for Geno Smith.

“Kenny’s been the (No. 2 quarterback) all season, so he’s likely to be the guy that starts,” Carroll said Wednesday. “But both guys will play, and I want them to kind of share the game and give them an opportunity to play.”

That’s pleasant news for O’Connell, whose season was sabotaged by the fractured wrist injury he suffered in the final preseason game. He spent most of the season on injured reserve and hasn’t taken a snap in a game since being activated in Week 11.

“I’m very excited,” O’Connell said. “A long season. A hard season.”

Smith was knocked out of Sunday’s loss to the Giants with an ankle injury. He has not been ruled out for the Chiefs game, but he did not practice Wednesday and is not expected to practice Thursday.

“I don’t think that he’s going to be able to make that recovery,” Carroll said. “We wish that he could, and I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it’s going to be really hard for him.”

Chance to audition

The Raiders traded for Pickett after O’Connell broke his wrist. The former Pitt standout has played in five games, including one start, and completed 27 of 41 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Pickett is not under contract for next season, so Sunday represents a chance to audition for the Raiders or 31 other teams.

“Any chance you get to play, it’s just a great opportunity,” he said. “So I’m excited. I know everyone in here is excited to try to finish this thing strong.”

When the Raiders traded for Smith in the offseason and signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $75 million, O’Connell’s focus shifted from competing to be the starter to being the No. 2 quarterback.

That was a far different scenario from last season, when O’Connell battled with Gardner Minshew for the starting job. O’Connell was beaten out by Minshew, but he saw action in nine games, including seven starts, through a combination of Minshew’s struggles and injuries.

His role was more defined for this season until the wrist injury, which reduced his role to spectator as the Raiders struggled to a 2-14 record.

“It’s been hard to sit back and watch,” O’Connell said. “I feel for the guys, feel for Geno, feel for the entire offense, entire team, coaching staff. It weighs on everyone when you lose like this.”

Bridge quarterback?

O’Connell, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick in 2023, has one year remaining on his rookie contract. With the Raiders likely to select a quarterback with the first or second pick in the NFL draft, he could be in line to serve as the cost-effective bridge to the younger prospect.

O’Connell, who has a 7-10 record in his starts, would love to have a more solidified role, but he’s grown accustomed to being patient.

“You kind of have to. It’s required based on the circumstances,” he said. “I really had no other option than to be patient and to wait. It’s not a pill I love to swallow, but you do what you can.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.