In a bit of a surprise, the Raiders are expected to name Tom Telesco their new General Manager according to NFL media’s Ian Rapoport.
Sources: All signs point to the #Raiders hiring former #Chargers GM Tom Telesco as their new GM. A surprise!
Telesco built one of the NFL’s best rosters over a decade with the rival Chargers. Now, he’s expected to stay in the division. pic.twitter.com/bJuXuAx39n
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 23, 2024
UPDATE: The Raiders have officially announced Telesco as the team’s new GM.
Telesco spent 11 seasons as GM of the Chargers from 2013-23. The Chargers went 84-95 over his tenure, along with 2-3 in three trips to the playoffs. He oversaw the drafting of such players as QB Justin Herbert, S Derwin James, OT Rashawn Slater, and CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Other strong candidates for the Raiders included interim GM Champ Kelly and Colts Assistant GM Ed Dodds.
In the end, it appears Mark Davis is going with the most experienced of the candidates to pair with Antonio Pierce who is making the leap to head coach after just one season coaching at the NFL level as a linebackers coach.
Kelly had been the Raiders Assistant GM prior to the firing of Dave Ziegler. No word yet on if Kelly will return as Assistant GM job or another position in the organization.