NFL News: Raiders GM Tom Telesco Fired; Should Reportedly Return After Pierce Exit | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

NFL News: Raiders GM Tom Telesco Fired; Should Reportedly Return After Pierce Exit | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: General Manager Tom Telesco of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Stacy Rere/Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders finally fire general manager Tom Telesco.

Las Vegas announced the news Thursday while expressing appreciation for “helping to build a foundation for the future.”

This development comes after the team also fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that the plan is to keep Telesco even if Pierce is no longer with the organization.

While this appears to be a change in direction for the Raiders’ ownership, it creates a schedule that brings together a new head coach and general manager in the same offseason.

With that in mind, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Telesco was fired “largely because the owners prefer a closer connection between general manager and head coach – like a closed partnership – rather than something that seems more arranged or forced.”

She also noted that minority owner Tom Brady “has a lot of influence in Las Vegas.”

Athletic’s Vic Tafur provided more context on the Brady situation:

Vic Tafur @VicTafur

Telesco appeared to be safe Tuesday when the Raiders fired coach Antonio Pierce — a decision that did not involve the general manager. But the more Mark Davis and Tom Brady talked, league sources said, they decided it was time to hire a new GM.

The Raiders were certainly a team to watch early in this coaching cycle as they had Pierce give a press conference at the end of the season conference Monday and then fired him on Tuesday. Now they have apparently changed course regarding the general manager position.

“It was such an uncomfortable situation at the team’s headquarters that Pierce had begun discussing possible changes to the coaching staff hours before he learned he would lose his job, according to sources who spoke to Yahoo Sports,” wrote Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports on Thursday.

Telesco didn’t exactly have much time to turn things around for the Raiders.

Las Vegas hired him before the 2024 season after he served as general manager of the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers for 11 seasons from 2013-23. Los Angeles made the playoffs three times during his tenure, but never advanced past the divisional round.

The 2024 season was one to forget for the Raiders, as they finished 4-13 and relied on Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder at quarterback. They also traded star wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets and are well behind the other three playoff teams in their division.

Still, there is an opportunity for the next general manager and coach to turn things around in the near future.

Las Vegas has the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and, according to Spotrac, the second-most cap space in the league, behind only the New England Patriots heading into the offseason.

The coach and general manager also have the opportunity to work together on the same schedule if they meet in the same offseason.

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