The Las Vegas Raiders have made a habit out of collecting former LA Chargers' players, coaches, and front-office executives in recent years. Casey Hayward, Tyrell Williams, Denzel Perryman, Jerry Tillery, and many other former Chargers players were instantly signed by the Raiders when their tenure with the Bolts was up.
The Raiders even hired former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley after he was fired by the Chargers several years ago. That did not last very long. If that was not enough, the Raiders even hired the guy they got fired as Tom Telesco is now the Raiders' GM (and is not having a great first year).
Somehow, someway, the Raiders took this trend to an entirely new level on Tuesday. After essentially firing the entire offensive staff, Telesco is tagging in former Chargers head coach Norv Turner to be an offensive assistant. Scott Turner is currently the favorite to take over play-calling duties.
Raiders reach new Chargers copycat low with Norv Turner hire
Whether it be draft busts, general managers who won two playoff games in 11 years, or old head coaches who were literally retired, the Raiders simply cannot get enough of the Chargers.
Turner has been out of professional football since 2019, when he last served as an assistant to the head coach for the Carolina Panthers. The former Chargers head coach spent one year in the role after he was removed from being the team's offensive coordinator when Ron Rivera was fired.
Funny enough, Turner never crossed paths with Telesco in San Diego, either. Turner was fired alongside former Chargers GM A.J. Smith, paving the way for the team to hire Telesco and Mike McCoy. Telesco and Turner don't even have a working relationship, so it is hard to fathom why Telesco would hire someone who has been out of football for a half-decade.
Scott Turner is not a former Chargers coach but the Raiders potentially elevating him to handle play-calling duties is equally as hilarious. Scott Turner has served as the Raiders' passing game coordinator since 2023. Vegas ranked 23rd in passing yards last year and ranks 19th this year.
Scott Turner served as the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator from 2020 through 2022. During that span, the Commanders ranked 25th, 23rd, and 24th in points per game.
The only explanation for this, other than Mark Davis having a weird fascination with former Chargers, is that the Raiders know the 2024 season is lost and are simply doing the Turners a favor. The focus should rightfully turn to the 2025 NFL Draft and it does not really matter who the offensive coordinator is.
It doesn't make it any less funny for Chargers fans, though.