The Las Vegas Raiders are making major organizational changes, firing general manager Tom Telesco just days after parting with head coach Antonio Pierce.
The moves signal a clear intention to rebuild their leadership structure from the ground up.
Telesco’s dismissal appears strategic, with reports indicating his presence might have deterred potential head coaching candidates, including Ben Johnson, who’s lined up for an interview.
“They did not feel that Tom Telesco, obviously, would be somebody that would be as appealing [as general manager] to some of the head coaching candidates that they are speaking with,” Schefter said, via NFL on ESPN.
“They did not feel that Tom Telesco, obviously, would be somebody that would be as appealing [as General Manager] to some of the head coaching candidates.”@adamschefter with the latest on the Raiders firing their General Manager. pic.twitter.com/Gs9yajMRWP
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 9, 2025
The Raiders’ season was marked by disappointment, as they finished 4-13 amid quarterback instability.
Telesco’s attempt to address the position by signing Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million deal didn’t work out as planned.
Minshew started five games before being replaced by Aidan O’Connell, and when both quarterbacks were injured, the team turned to Desmond Ridder.
The timing of Telesco’s departure is particularly noteworthy, as he joined the Raiders just last January following his dismissal from the Los Angeles Chargers.
His tenure with the Chargers ended after a crushing loss to the Raiders, making his brief Las Vegas stint an interesting note in his career.
NEXT: Raiders Have Made A Decision About Tom Telesco’s Future