NFL Rumors: Tom Telesco Expected to Be Hired as Raiders GM After Chargers Tenure

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The Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly found their new general manager.

The Raiders are expected to hire former Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco as their new GM, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported Monday that Telesco was in Las Vegas for a second interview for the Raiders GM position.

The Raiders were in the market for a new general manager this winter after firing general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels on Nov. 1. Champ Kelly had served as the franchise’s interim general manager since Ziegler’s firing.

Las Vegas already hired interim head coach Antonio Pierce to replace McDaniels, but the general manager position remained open and was reportedly down to Telesco, Kelly and Indianapolis Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds.

The hiring of Telesco is somewhat ironic as it was his former team’s 63-21 blowout loss to the Raiders on Dec. 14 that brought an end to his time in Los Angeles as the Chargers fired him and head coach Brandon Staley following that defeat.

Telesco didn’t necessarily have a track record of excellence with the Bolts, either.

The Chargers hired Telesco in 2013 when the team was still in San Diego and the franchise compiled an 84-95 record and made the playoffs just three times during his tenure.

Telesco went through three head coaches during his time in Los Angeles—Staley, Anthony Lynn and Mike McCoy—and while he had some success in drafting, including the likes of wide receiver Keenan Allen, edge rusher Joey Bosa, wide receiver Mike Williams and quarterback Justin Herbert, the team never developed any sort of chemistry over his 10 seasons.

Now in Las Vegas, Telesco enters a similar situation as the franchise has underperformed, making the playoffs just twice in the last 10 years. If he can’t help the Raiders turn things around, his tenure in the desert likely won’t last long.