The Las Vegas Raiders confirmed the appointment of Tom Telesco as the team’s new general manager on Tuesday.
Telesco occupied the same position with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2013 to 2023, overseeing a period of general underachievement either side of the team’s 2016 relocation from San Diego.
The Chargers only made the playoffs three times during Telesco’s tenure, suffering divisional-round exits in 2013 and 2018 before losing their wild-card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars to end the 2022 season.
Along with head coach Brandon Staley, Telesco was fired by the Chargers in mid-December following a crushing 63-21 defeat to the Raiders, who themselves have been searching for a permanent GM since early November.
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The Raiders fired coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler after making a 3-5 start to the season, and their fortunes improved under interim coach Antonio Pierce and interim GM Champ Kelly.
Pierce finished the 2023 season with a 5-4 record and was made full-time head coach last week, and he will now work with Telesco to rebuild a team which has only enjoyed two playoff trips since appearing at Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.
Tom Telesco has been named General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders ☠️
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 24, 2024
The Raiders have a major decision to make at quarterback ahead of the 2024 campaign, with Jimmy Garoppolo having endured an injury-hit 2023 before being benched by Pierce.
Doubts persist over rookie Aidan O’Connell’s ability to step up as the long-term starter, and leading QB draft prospects Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are all likely to be gone long before the team’s number 13 pick arrives.
Team owner Mark Davis said Telesco will have the final say over personnel decisions, while he will also be involved in the team’s search for a new offensive coordinator.
