4:50pm: The Raiders’ final decision between Telesco, Dodds and Kelly could be made as early as tomorrow, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. As a result, the team’s ongoing search will certainly be worth following closely in the immediate future.
2:20pm: The list of finalists for the Raiders’ general manager vacancy continues to grow. Former Chargers GM Tom Telesco is in Las Vegas for a second interview for the position today, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic. As his colleague Tashan Reed notes, Colts exec Ed Dodds has also met with the Raiders twice. 
Telesco’s long run with the Chargers came to an end midway through the 2023 season after he and head coach Brandon Staley were fired. As a result, the franchise is looking for a new GM for the first time since 2013. While that search is ongoing, Telesco has received interest from the division-rival Raiders. Dodds has generated greater interest, and he is seen as a top challenger to interim GM Champ Kelly for the full-time gig.
Telesco and the Raiders met earlier this month, and that interview obviously went well given today’s update. The Raiders recently sorted out their coaching situation by removing the interim tag from head coach Antonio Pierce. That move has been celebrated by many, but it leaves the team short on experience on the sidelines. Pairing Pierce with a rookie GM would thus carry risk, something which could be avoided by hiring Telesco.
The latter helped lead the Chargers to a winning record six times during his tenure, and he was responsible for a number of high-profile player acquisitions. One of his most important moves was authorizing the massive extension Justin Herbert signed last offseason, though the Raiders face a much more uncertain situation under center at the moment. Finding stability at the QB spot will be a top priority for whomever gets the nod from owner Mark Davis.
Meanwhile, former Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell is on the Raiders’ radar. Caldwell will interview with the team for a defensive staff position, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. In the event Patrick Graham – who is currently in place as defensive coordinator – departs for a head coaching position, Caldwell could be in play to take over in that role with Vegas, Fowler adds.
With plenty yet to be determined on the sidelines and in the front office, here is how the Raiders’ GM search is taking shape:
- Trey Brown, senior personnel executive (Bengals): Interview requested
- Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interviewed 1/12; conducted second interview
- Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Interviewed 1/12
- Champ Kelly, interim general manager (Raiders): Conducted second interview 1/15
- Kelly Kleine Van Calligan, executive director of football operations (Broncos): Interviewed 1/10
- Adam Peters, assistant general manager (49ers): Interview requested
- Tom Telesco, former general manger (Chargers): Interviewed week of 1/7; to conduct second interview 1/22
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Telesco put together some top 5 talented rosters. Bad coaching hires are on him to a substantial degree, but he’s been good with player personnel (Quentin Johnston aside)
Seems kind of odd that Antonio Pierce was allowed to go out and test the Head Coaching waters, then was the first hire. Layer on top of that, Champ Kelly has been involved with all of the interviews. Mark Davis has been open about his hiring issues in the past with a rookie HC and GM on the same staff, like his first hire with Dennis Allen and Reggie McKenzie.
The Raiders have the HC in place. Possibly the idea is to hire Champ Kelly as GM and bring in a third party that everyone is comfortable with as a President of Football Operations type roll. A third party to operate as a check and balance with enough experience to offer a different point of view.