The Los Angeles Chargers rounded out their 2023 season by cleaning house and letting go of both former head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. The Las Vegas Raiders did the same, letting go of both Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler.
However, Telesco isn’t done as a general manager. The Raiders have officially hired Telesco as the team’s new GM, not long after announcing Antonio Pierce as their full-time head coach. How are NFL fans reacting to the news?
NFL World Reacts to Las Vegas Closing in on Hiring of Tom Telesco as General Manager
Telesco started his executive career back in 1991 when he was an intern with the Buffalo Bills until 1994. He’s since worked with the Carolina Panthers from 1995 until 1997 and the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2012.
His time with the Colts is what boosted his career, going from an area scout up to vice president of football operations, which he spent one year doing in 2012.
Following his time with the Colts, the San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles) hired him as their general manager in 2013. In the 11 years he spent with the Chargers, he saw three different head coaches, Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn, and Staley.
As the Chargers’ general manager, Telesco saw the team go a combined 84-95. The Chargers made the playoffs just three times in that timespan, never making it past the Divisional Round. “The Chargers have a ton of talent on their roster. But, they didn’t win anything,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Telesco’s final game before the firing was the Raiders’ 63-21 win over the Chargers on December 14. On the day following the game, both Staley and Telesco were let go.
According to Albert Breer, what the Raiders like about Telesco is his experience, the makeup of the Chargers’ roster, and his knowledge of the AFC West. “I’m happy with this hire. Experience GM with rookie HC. That works well for me,” another NFL fan said on X.
MORE: Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart
Telesco was responsible for the Chargers drafting Rashawn Slater, Justin Herbert, Asante Samuel Jr., Derwin James, Joey Bosa, Mike Williams, and others. However, he was also responsible for the Chargers’ drafting of Jerry Tillery, Kenneth Murray, Quentin Johnston, and many more major disappointments.
While Telesco does have a history of some good picks, he has had no players drafted past the third round return for a second contract. He’ll hope to have that change at his new destination.
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