Raiders coach and the general manager talking on contract agreement of quarterback for 2024 season.
There are apparently differences between the coach and general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders on the starting quarterback for 2024.
Antonio Pierce, the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, succeeded Josh McDaniels and finished 5-4, securing his position as head coach full-time in 2024. There already seems to be some dissension in the Raiders organization even though owner Mark Davis gave priority to an experienced general manager to work alongside his inexperienced head coach.
Before selecting Tom Telesco as general manager, the Raiders had meetings with a number of the NFL’s best candidates. Less than two months after Telesco was let go from the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas decided to hire him.
When Davis hired Telesco, she made it clear that Pierce needed to work with an experienced talent assessor and decision-maker at the top. Given that Telesco and Pierce had never met before the initial interview, it was a bit of a gamble, particularly for a team that was apprehensive about their quarterback.
There is apparently some dispute over who should start at quarterback for the Raiders next season, despite the general manager and head coach of the team having both advocated for taking an aggressive approach this offseason in an effort to strengthen the quarterback room.
Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports that quarterback Aidan O’Connell “seems to be the choice” to start for Las Vegas in the upcoming season, according to Pierce. But Telesco “wants a big name” to replace him at quarterback, and O’Connell seems to be given greater consideration.
Even if the Chargers did not have a quarterback available for the 2023 NFL Draft, Telesco undoubtedly watched some footage on the position when it was in Los Angeles and before joining Las Vegas. It seems sense to assume he believes it is essential to acquire a better starting quarterback given the expectations for the team in 2024.
According to Pierce, O’Connell was competent enough to round up his inaugural campaign with a 3-1 record, winning the head coach of the Raiders in the process. Although Telesco and Pierce concur that Las Vegas needs a stronger quarterback than Jimmy Garoppolo—who will be released—it is somewhat unexpected to learn that they disagree about how much of a need there is.
