All eyes are on head coach Anthony Lynn, who’s job with the Chargers is on the line.
But general manager Tom Telesco is worth being brought up in discussion as a member of the organization who could be unemployed after the season.
Since being hired back in 2013, Telesco went on to hire Mike McCoy, which was short lived after going 9-23. Fast forward to now, Lynn, his second hire, is 29-32 and is likely going to be on his way out after this season.
It’s unlikely that a general manager is allowed to pick a third head coach after the first two proved themselves as incapable to produce a winning track record.
Telesco has only been to the playoffs twice in his eight-year tenure.
Telesco is coveted for landing players like wide receiver Keenan Allen, defensive end Joey Bosa, safety Derwin James and most recently quarterback Justin Herbert in the draft. But he has failed to bring in reliable depth players and it shows.
Offensively, he’s failed to put together a competent offensive line. Instead of getting top talent early on, he’s banked on mid to late rounders in hopes of them developing. That hasn’t paid off, especially when you have your quarterback running for his life all game.
Defensively, Telesco has prioritized that side of the ball, both in free agency and the draft. But the impact that the majority of those players have made has been minimal, as seen when they’re called upon when injuries have occurred.
That all ties into special teams. It’s been practice squad players that have been tasked with attempting to get the job done. The result? Ranked last in the NFL. It also doesn’t help when safety Adrian Phillips and fullback Derek Watt, two key special teamers from previous seasons, were let go of.
Don’t get me wrong, Telesco has brought in a lot of talent at various positions. But when the team has suffered back-to-back underwhelming seasons, you have to turn your attention to the man in charge of the football operations department, not solely the coaching.
When the 2020 season ends, it might not just be Lynn out of a job. Telesco might be shown the door, too.