Raiders Terminate GM Tom Telesco Amid Overhaul

General manager Tom Telesco of the Las Vegas Raiders walks on the field before the team's game against the Atlanta Falcons at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 16, 2024. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders are making major changes at the top amid the firing of general manager Tom Telesco on Thursday.

Las Vegas already parted ways with head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday following just one full season after he took over as the interim head coach in the 2023 season. Telesco, who joined the Raiders in January 2024, had just under a full year with the team.

“We appreciate his efforts in helping build a foundation for the future,” the Raiders said in a statement on Thursday. “We wish Tom and his family all the best.”

Telesco, who took the job after prior termination from the Los Angeles Chargers, couldn’t get the Raiders turned around in 2024 amid a 4–13 season. It marked the third straight losing season for the Raiders, which have made the playoffs only twice since a Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season.

Telesco had a good start to his tenure in the draft by selecting tight end Brock Bowers, offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, and right tackle D.J. Glaze. All three started this season, and Bowers quietly became one of the top offensive rookies in the league amid 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.

Bowers may have produced more had it not been for the quarterback carousel in Las Vegas. The Raiders released starter Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason and signed veteran Gardner Minshew, but Minshew’s struggles gave way to second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell before Desmond Ridder took over due to injuries with O’Connell.

Injuries also played a role in the Raiders’ woes. That included players such as defensive end Maxx Crosby, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, linebacker Luke Masterson, safety Marcus Epps, and running back Ameer Abdullah.

Las Vegas also traded away star wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets in exchange for a third-round pick. The Raiders also own the No. 6 pick in the draft this spring.

Whoever takes on the general manager role next will have those picks amid additional selections that will finalize after the playoffs. In addition, the Raiders have a projected $112.57 million in salary cap space to work with.

Conversely, Las Vegas has a boatload of free agents to re-sign. That includes Epps, Abdullah, Ridder, linebacker Robert Spillane, tight end Harrison Bryant, defensive tackle John Jenkins, guard Cody Whitehair, and running back Alexander Mattison, to name a few.

As Las Vegas brings in a new general manager and a new head coach, it will mark the third straight year that the Raiders have new individuals for both roles. The Raiders previously had Josh McDaniels as the head coach and Dave Ziegler as the general manager in 2023 before in-season firings led to the 2024 regime of Pierce and Telesco.