With a backup quarterback and a roster that had obviously given up on its head coach, the LA Chargers suffered the worst regular-season loss in franchise history in 2023, losing 63-21 to the Las Vegas Raiders.
As a result, both head coach Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco were fired the next day. Fast forward a few months and the Raiders inexplicably made the decision to hire the general manager who they got fired in the first place. After a decade-plus of seeing disappointing results firsthand, Las Vegas hired Telesco to be the team's next GM.
If the Raiders hired Telesco thinking he would operate differently than he did with Los Angeles then the team is going to be disappointed. Raiders fans are already seeing Telesco's shortcomings firsthand as he has done nothing to address the fringes of the roster during training camp and the preseason.
Raiders GM Tom Telesco has been rather silent thus far with regard to adding a veteran free agent of consequence—namely, a defensive back (preferably a cornerback).
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) August 23, 2024
Any theories on why the front office has been relatively quiet this offseason? pic.twitter.com/j6JNJX0hbR
Chargers fans can't help but laugh as Raiders' GM Tom Telesco continues his old ways
Staying pat and not addressing the roster is something Telesco was far too comfortable doing with the Chargers and it drove fans insane. Time and time again, there would be players available that could help build out depth and the Bolts would pass with seemingly no consideration.
Granted, these players around the roster fringes likely won't end up deciding a Super Bowl but it can raise the floor of the entire team. Every year the Chargers seemingly dealt with depth issues and the common denominator was often the stagnation of the front office.
Whether it be flier signings or trades for cheap draft capital, Telesco hardly added to the depth of the roster. The only time he ever traded for someone during the season was his first year as a GM and it was for defensive tackle Sean Lissemore.
Telesco had no problem using seventh-round picks to draft a fullback or quarterback who would not last two seasons with the team, but he really seemed to take exception to utilize those picks to address the depth of the roster and capitalize on a contention window.
Meanwhile, new general manager Joe Hortiz has shown the complete opposite. The Chargers have been very active in bringing in players during training camp and signed someone who may get starting snaps in Teair Tart.
One thing is for certain: if Telesco was still the GM of the Chargers then Tart would not be in Los Angeles. But hey, now this is the Raiders' problem.