Raiders general manager candidates after Telesco firing

The Las Vegas Raiders now have another question to answer this offseason.

On Thursday, two days after firing head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders decided to do the same with general manager Tom Telesco.

With that, the Raiders are now searching for both a new head coach and general manager, hoping that the third regime they install since coming to Las Vegas will be the charm.

While firing Telesco came as a shock to many people, it also gives the Raiders the benefit of pitching themselves as a clean slate. Some head coaching candidates will want their choice of general manager to work with, and the Raiders are now ahead on that front.

Who the Raiders choose to bring in as general manager will likely influence who they bring in as head coach, and vice versa.

Keeping that in mind, here are some potential candidates who can replace Telesco:

Ray Agnew, Detroit Lions assistant GM

With Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and top coaching candidate Ben Johnson interviewing with the Raiders on Friday, Telesco’s firing now opens the door for Agnew to come in as a package deal.

A former top-ten pick and Super Bowl champion as a defensive lineman, Agnew comes from a strictly football background. Brought on as a director of player personnel for the Los Angeles Rams, Agnew played a role in constructing the roster that won the team a Super Bowl in 2021.

That offseason, Agnew followed Brad Holmes to Detroit to serve as his assistant GM. In his four years, Agnew has helped transform the Lions from perennial bottom-feeder to one of the best teams in the NFL, headlined by a 15-win season this year.

If Johnson has more interest in the Raiders’ job than anticipated, bringing in Agnew would provide the team with a chance to create a winning formula.

John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant GM

While Bill Belichick is the main connection to Raiders part owner Tom Brady, Spytek also has a connection worth talking about that could give him an edge.

Spytek served as vice president of player personnel for the Buccaneers when Brady arrived, and his promotion to assistant GM since then confirms that the organization trust his judgment.

The Buccaneers have garnered praise as one of the NFL’s best-run organizations, with general manager Jason Licht revered as one of the best talent evaluators in the league. The team has won four straight NFC South titles in large part due to their front office.

Spytek will receive plenty of interviews for general manager positions, and his familiarity with Brady will help him get in good with the Raiders. Having a top coaching candidate in offensive coordinator Liam Coen helps his case, as well.

Ed Dodds, Indianapolis Colts assistant GM

Unlike the other two names mentioned, Dodds does not have a set coaching candidate with him. What he does bring, however, is familiarity with the organization.

Starting his executive career with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2003, Dodds served as a scout with the organization until 2007 when he was hired by the Seattle Seahawks.

Dodds saw his career take off in the Pacific Northwest, advancing up the ranks until being named senior personnel executive in 2015.

He has since worked with the Indianapolis Colts, serving as assistant GM to Chris Ballard for the last six years. While the Colts have struggled to progress up the NFL hierarchy, Dodds’ reputation has largely remained intact.

Dodds has interviewed with the Raiders twice in 2022 and 2024, falling short both times. If former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll decides to come along with him, Dodds’ third chance with the team may prove successful.

Ryan Grigson, Minnesota Vikings senior vice president of player personnel

Grigson being mentioned for the job will elicit some groans from Raiders fans, and the reaction is admittedly understandable.

Grigson has experience as an NFL GM with the Indianapolis Colts from 2012-16, but his tenure was marred by constant in-fighting with then-head coach Chuck Pagano and a failure to build around franchise quarterback Andrew Luck.

That said, Grigson also helped turn the Colts around, transforming a team that won only two games the season prior and going 52-34 in his five seasons there. Grigson also won two AFC South division titles and built a roster that went to the AFC Championship Game in 2014.

Grigson has rebuilt his stock with the Minnesota Vikings, as has defensive coordinator Brian Flores. With both men being involved in power struggles in prior jobs, the fact that both men are familiar with one another and are comfortable working together would answer serious questions about both of their candidacies.

If Flores is the choice for the Raiders as their next head coach, Grigson starts to make more sense as a general manager.

Champ Kelly, Raiders assistant GM

An in-house candidate might not make sense with the tough season the Raiders endured, but one of Kelly’s resume is definitely worth considering.

Kelly has worked in NFL front offices since 2007, starting with the Denver Broncos. He eventually became their assistant director of pro personnel, helping to oversee a Broncos team that won four straight AFC West titles from 2011-14.

Kelly then spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears as their director of pro scouting before joining the Raiders in 2022. Kelly was one personnel executive that remained after the management change from Dave Ziegler to Telesco, and was even the interim general manager of the Raiders in 2023.

Mark Davis and many others within the organization are already familiar with what Kelly brings to the table. If they want to keep some semblance of continuity in spite of the current chaos, Kelly would be the right choice.