Tom Telesco gets revenge as Raiders claim notable Chargers' preseason standout

Undrafted free agent safety Thomas Harper was one of the biggest standouts during LA Chargers training camp. Harper built on his strong camp with an impressive showing in the preseason, peaking in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams.

Unfortunately, Harper was unable to play in the preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys, where veteran safety Tony Jefferson had the best preseason game of any player on the Chargers this year. That strong game from Jefferson was the deciding factor as he made the 53-man roster and Harper did not.

In a perfect world, Harper would have returned to the Chargers' practice squad so he could stay in the building and eventually be elevated if anything were to happen. However, that is not the case as the former Notre Dame safety was claimed on Wednesday's waiver wire.

And of course, it had to be the most annoying team imaginable for Chargers fans. Harper was claimed by the team's biggest rival, and the new home of former general manager Tom Telesco, the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tom Telesco continues trend of Raiders signing former Chargers by claiming Thomas Harper

It has become a bit of a running joke with Chargers fans how frequently the Raiders, even before Telesco was hired by the team, sign former Chargers players. From Tyrell Williams to Denzel Perryman to Casey Hayward to Jerry Tillery, the Raiders have made a habit out of bringing in former Bolts.

This is yet another example of this phenomenon but this one stings a bit more. Harper may not be as prolific as some of the other former Chargers who signed with the Raiders but the circumstance makes it painful.

This is not a case where Harper was a free agent and outright left the team. This is a situation where the Raiders outright swiped one of the Chargers' biggest preseason standouts. And to make matters worse, it was the old GM who pulled it off.

This could end up being a roster decision the Chargers come to regret. As great as Jefferson was in that preseason finale, it may have been smarter to protect the younger player (Harper) by keeping him on the 53-man roster and trying to keep Jefferson on the practice squad.

Jefferson would not have hit waivers and would have been free to sign with any team. But because of his ties to GM Joe Hortiz, he may have preferred staying in LA versus outright leaving the team. As good as he was in the preseason finale, another team offering him a 53-man roster spot may have been less likely because of his age.

Plus, as great as he was against the Dallas Cowboys, that is one game the Chargers are going off of. Jefferson was retired last year and even before his retirement was not that impactful. The veteran safety has not been a consistent, impactful safety in the league since 2018. Harper was a senior in high school in 2018.

But we will never know what Harper could have been on the Chargers. Now, fans have to hope he doesn't blossom into a standout on the Raiders.