Raiders Hire Former Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco For GM Job
Jan 23, 2024, 6:58 PM
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 15: A general view shows the Las Vegas Strip outside the lanai doors at Allegiant Stadium behind the Al Davis Memorial Torch during the first quarter of a game between the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 21-17. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders hired Tom Telesco on Tuesday as their next general manager, passing over interim Champ Kelly for the position.
Kelly could remain as the assistant general manager, the position he held under Dave Ziegler, who was fired Oct. 31. Kelly then was given the interim title and was believed to be a strong candidate to get the job full time.
Tom Telesco has been named General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders 🏴☠️
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 24, 2024
Telesco, 51, comes from the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers, where he was the general manager since 2013. The Chargers fired Telesco and coach Brandon Staley on Dec. 15, a day after Los Angeles lost 63-21 at Las Vegas.
Telesco drafted eight Pro Bowl players, including quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive end Joey Bosa. But the Chargers went 86-95 during his tenure, making the playoffs three times and never winning a divisional title.
He hired three first-year coaches, so going to the Raiders will be familiar in that way for Telesco. Antonio Pierce had the interim title removed Friday, making him the full-time coach.
RELATED: Raiders Hire Antonio Pierce As Next Head Coach, AP Source Says
Telesco’s top priority will be deciding what to do at quarterback. Rookie Aidan O’Connell became the starter when Pierce took over, and though he led the Raiders to a 5-4 record over that time, his inconsistency created real doubts that he was the franchise quarterback.
The Raiders pick 13th in this year’s draft, which likely puts them outside the range of getting a top quarterback unless they trade up. Las Vegas also could stay put and perhaps select Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. if he’s still on the draft board.
