On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders officially appointed Tom Telesco as their new general manager, making him the ninth individual to hold this position in Raiders history. Telesco’s NFL journey commenced in 1991, when he served as an intern for the Buffalo Bills. Following his internship, he assumed the role of a scouting assistant for the Carolina Panthers in 1995. Subsequently, Telesco joined the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, contributing 15 seasons to scouting and player personnel. In 2013, he took on the role of general manager for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, becoming the youngest general manager in Chargers history during his 11-year tenure. His leadership resulted in the drafting of multiple players who later earned Pro Bowl honors, and in 2022, he curated a roster featuring eight former Pro Bowlers.
Notably, Telesco shares a robust professional relationship with seasoned NFL executive Bill Polian. Their mentor-mentee dynamic dates back to Telesco’s time with the Buffalo Bills, when Polian served as the team’s general manager. Telesco continued to work under Polian during the latter’s stints with the Panthers and Colts, contributing to his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
Raised in Hamburg, New York, Telesco’s football roots extend to his high school days at St. Francis High School, where he played alongside current New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Their positions on the field reflected Telesco as a wide receiver and cornerback, while Daboll played safety. Telesco’s collegiate journey led him to play as a wide receiver for four years at John Carroll University, culminating in a championship win with the Blue Streaks in 1994. He graduated from John Carroll University with a degree in business management.
The anticipation builds for the impact Telesco will bring to the Silver and Black as the new general manager this offseason and in the seasons ahead, adding an exciting dimension to the franchise’s trajectory.
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