Tom

Telesco

Telesco spent a decade with the Chargers before getting fired in December, along with head coach Brandon Staley, in the midst of a disappointing 2023 season. Staying in the AFC West, Telesco built semi-successful Chargers rosters over the last 10 years, including drafting Justin Herbert. However, he could not find much draft success outside of Herbert, most recently selecting WR Quentin Johnston in the first round of the 2023 draft. Telesco was one of the youngest general managers in the league with the Chargers but could not find playoff success during his tenure, making the playoffs three times and failing to make it past the Divisional Round. Now the Raiders will hope he can find that extra gear as their general manager.

According to Reed, the Raiders held second interviews with interim GM Champ Kelly, former Chargers GM Tom Telesco, and Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds. Reed also adds that owner Mark Davis “expressed hesitation” about hiring a rookie GM and head coach, which could tilt the job in Telesco’s favor. Telesco last served as the Chargers’ GM from 2013 through 2023 and was fired last December when the team also opted to cut ties with coach Brandon Staley.

The deal came at the end of the season. It’s the third extension for Telesco with the Chargers. Telesco has done better in free agency than the draft, getting Pro Bowl seasons out of Mike Pouncey, Russell Okung, and Casey Hayward the last three years. The Chargers don’t have a huge window with Philip Rivers near the end, but Telesco had some of the strongest job security in the league.

Telesco is finishing up his third season on the job after coming over from Indianapolis. He’s drafted decently well in the early rounds, with first-round picks of RG D.J. Fluker, CB Jason Verrett, and Melvin Gordon, while also nabbing Keenan Allen in the third round in 2013. Telesco also has been able to sign Philip Rivers and DE Corey Liuget to long-term extensions. He’ll be around for the foreseeable future as the Chargers contemplate a move to L.A.

Per Rapsheet, “the Chargers’ phones are getting just as much action” as the Browns, who are known to be shopping the second pick. While the top two picks will likely be quarterbacks, anything is in play at No. 3. It’s possible a team could trade up for Ole Miss LT Laremy Tunsil. The San Diego Union-Tribune recently called Tunsil a “messy fit” for the Chargers at No. 3. The Bolts could just be doing their due diligence but we wouldn’t be shocked if they traded down.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that San Diego was generating a ton of trade interest at No. 3 but those talks appeared to have died down. Telesco said the Chargers will use “all the time allotted” in selecting their pick. Ole Miss LT Laremy Tunsil, Florida State CB Jalen Ramsey and Oregon DL DeForest Buckner could all be in the mix at third overall.