It’s no secret that quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. It’s also no revelation that Raiders general manager Tom Telesco will bring a new signal caller to Vegas, despite a solid performance from rookie QB Aidan O’Connell in 2023.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah told Amber Theoharis and Eric Allen of the Raiders Podcast Network that while Telesco didn’t draft many quarterbacks during his lengthy tenure as Chargers GM, every team he’s worked for was built from the QB down, so he knows exactly what a franchise QB looks like.
“First of all, he’s been able to identify the most important position, which is the quarterback position,” Jeremiah said. “When he got to the Chargers, Philip Rivers was in place. But then every year doing your homework on quarterbacks and trying to find that next guy; you look where the Raiders are positioned right now, Aidan O’Connell did some nice things last year. [Telesco’s] going to have to decide: is this where you want to move forward here or do you want to try to identify somebody potentially in the draft or free agency?”
Telesco eventually drafted Chargers QB Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. That draft was flush with quarterbacks. Herbert was the third signal caller chosen, behind current NFL stars Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa.
Still, Jeremiah says that when you include Telesco’s tenure with the Colts and NFL legend Peyton Manning, Telesco knows exactly what to look for in a franchise QB.
“From his time around Peyton Manning with the Colts to his time around Philip Rivers and then Justin Herbert, he knows what it looks like to find that right quarterback. So that’s where it all starts with team building.”
Jeremiah, who also servs as Chargers color commentator, added that while every GM misses on some draft picks, Telesco has found impact players “at all different positions.” But Jeremiah believes Telesco will attempt to build the Raiders from the QB on down, just as his previous teams were built.
“I think he does have an idea of how to properly build a team. And the teams he’s been with have all been built through the quarterback. So I would think that’s going to be the first order of business,” Jeremiah concluded.
Finding a franchise quarterback won’t be as easy this time around for Telesco. The Raiders currently hold the No. 13 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He’ll have to trade up to select a franchise QB such as No. 1 prospect Caleb Willimas of USC, Drake Maye of North Carolina, or Jayden Daniels of LSU.
Free agency or the trade market are other options for Telesco. In those scenarios, Teleso may bring in a stop-gap type player or competition for O’Connell.
Looking at Manning, Rivers, and Herbert, there is a touch of variety in their style of play. Manning and Rivers were classic pocket passers while Herbert has some mobility in his repertoire. That could open the door for a player such as Bears QB Justin Fields, should he become available. The Bears own the No. 1 pick in the draft and could select Fields’ replacement.
So while it’s no secret Telesco has to bring a new quarterback, or multiple new quarterbacks, to the Raiders, it’s anyone’s guess how he’ll get it done. His experience will help, but it’s unlikely he’ll find anyone the caliber of Manning, Rivers, or even Herbert. On the other hand, he just might. Raiders owner Mark Davis and Raiders fans will just have to wait and see if Telesco is the QB expert Jeremiah says he is.
