CBS Sports: Former Chargers general manager Tom Telesco leaves his position as Raiders general manager

After losing to the Las Vegas Raiders 63-21 in primetime the previous season, the LA Chargers sacked former general manager Tom Telesco. Even though Telesco’s record in Los Angeles did not warrant an immediate second chance, the Raiders chose to recruit him as their new general manager a few months later.

The Raiders’ first season with Telesco has not gone as expected. Las Vegas ignored the depth of the roster and used all of its cap space on a defensive tackle who specializes in running. The Raiders made greater use of the team’s resources, although Christian Wilkins has been good so far.

This includes the Raiders’ quarterback position, which hasn’t been very strong this season. Desmond Ridder, Gardner Minshew, and Aiden O’Connell have all appeared under center for the Raiders. The three quarterbacks have a combined season record of 2-7.

Telesco is now beginning to take desperate measures to save the 2024 season and the near future, only six weeks into his time with the Raiders.

Less than a year after being let go by the Chargers, Tom Telesco is already firing Raiders coaches.
The Raiders’ most notable firing on Monday was of former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, but the team’s removal of the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator also suggests a broad offensive shift.

Antonio Pierce, the head coach, stated that the choice was entirely his own, but it is difficult to accept that Telesco and the front office had no say in the matter. Telesco may be implementing a broad overhaul, and this is the first domino to fall.

After all, general managers frequently like to recruit “their guys” when they are new to a position, and Pierce was never his guy. After a brief but successful time as interim head coach last year, Pierce effectively bullied himself into a position for which he may not be qualified.

At this point, Pierce is losing the season, and blaming the OC is only the first step in the process.

It was not Getsy’s fault that the front administration lacked a real quarterback strategy and did not devote enough money to the offensive end of the ball. The Raiders’ decision to let Davante Adams use leverage to leave Las Vegas and travel to New York was not Getsy’s fault.

The Raiders’ half-season has been tumultuous. Meanwhile, with Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz in charge, the Chargers are operating more smoothly than ever. It’s safe to say that the Bolts won, and all it took was a lopsided defeat in a game with no real meaning.