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Chargers sign GM Tom Telesco to second contract extension

By Tyler Schoon

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 5: Speakers Les Snead (L), general manager of NFL's Los Angeles Rams, Tom Telesco, general manger of NFlL's San Diego Chargers, and moderator Steve Gera (R) attend Leaders Sports Performance Summit at Red Bull House on March 5, 2016, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 5: Speakers Les Snead (L), general manager of NFL's Los Angeles Rams, Tom Telesco, general manger of NFlL's San Diego Chargers, and moderator Steve Gera (R) attend Leaders Sports Performance Summit at Red Bull House on March 5, 2016, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Chargers have extended one of the best and brightest general managers in the NFL…

Among the recent free agency frenzy (or lack thereof, possibly) the Chargers organization announced the contract extension of General Manager Tom Telesco, who has overseen the team since 2013:

The Chargers signed GM Tom Telesco to a multi-year contract extension at the completion of last season. It’s the third deal for Telesco while with the Chargers. He signed a 3-year contract extension before the start of the 2015 season due to expire at the end of the this year.

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) March 15, 2019

Telesco is one of the more improved general managers in the league, bringing a team with a combined 9-23 record from 2015 and 2016 to a 21-11 record over the last two seasons. His current roster features one of the most talented groups in the league, boasting six Pro-Bowl or All-Pro players on offense and seven Pro-Bowl or All-Pro players on defense.

Notable draft achievements include:

  • 2013: WR Keenan Allen, third round.
  • 2014: S Adrian Phillips, undrafted free agent.
  • 2015: RB Melvin Gordon, first round.
  • 2016: DE Joey Bosa, first round.
  • 2017: CB Desmond King, fifth round.
  • 2018: S Derwin James, first round.

Despite the talent on the roster, the Chargers have yet to truly take the next step and make a playoff push. Both playoff appearances have yielded Wild Card wins, but have ended in heartbreaking losses in the Divisional Round. Telesco has shown an ability to draft incredible talent at skill positions, but has failed to give the Chargers an advantage in the trenches. Early selections like D.J. Fluker, Chris Watt, and Max Tuerk are no longer with the team, forcing him to sign outside talent in free agency. As of right now, the Chargers’ best option on the interior of the defensive line are a 34-year-old Brandon Mebane and third-round pick Justin Jones. It’s not enough.

If the Chargers do not make it further into the playoffs, one could imagine this being Telesco’s last extension given by the organization. There’s no doubt he can build a talented roster, but if the team continues to fall early due to deficiencies on the offensive and defensive lines, it’s time to make a switch. Here’s to a year of health and success, in which Telesco can have one more excellent draft to give this team the final pieces it needs to get past the New England Patriots and win the Super Bowl.

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