Thoughts on reported quarterback plan differences between Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce

General manager and coach are reportedly not on same page when it comes to draft plan at quarterback

While all eyes are on what the Las Vegas Raiders are going to do at quarterback in the NFL draft, which starts in 10 days, there was a recent report saying that new general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce aren’t on the same page about the approach at the position.

Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda reported this recently:

“There’s also been talk about the Las Vegas Raiders wanting to move up for a quarterback. The latest completely from Raiders’ draft meetings is that head coach Antonio Pierce wants to trade up for a signal caller, yet general manager Tom Telesco is leaning heavily toward sticking with second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell and free-agent signing Gardner Minshew.”

In February, Pauline had some reports on the Raiders’ quarterback plan.

He reported that the presence of new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy in Las Vegas would help the Raiders try to trade for Justin Fields from Chicago. Getsy was fired as the Bears’ offensive coordinator after the season and he worked with Fields the past two seasons. There was a report that the Raiders might have interest in Fields moments before they signed Minshew. He ended up being shipped to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pauline also reported in February that O’Connell seemed to be the choice of Pierce, but Telesco wanted a “big name” at quarterback. Minshew is capable, but he’s not exactly a household name.

As for the new information from Pauline, it’s all plausible.

Look, Pierce has publicly said it’s in his coaching nature to want to trade up and get a quarterback. It’s how coaches operate. They want to coach the best players possible.

General managers, meanwhile, are in charge of maintaining a plan for now and the future, so it’s also plausible to think Telesco would be reluctant to spend what it will take to get a top quarterback prospect.

So, an O’Connell-Minshew competition may be the most realistic approach. If that happens, it doesn’t mean Pierce won’t be excited to work with O’Connell and Minshew.

The key is, if Telesco and Pierce are, indeed, at odds over this decision, is they they calmly work through it and come to an understanding of what’s best for the future of the team and ensure that conflict over roster building doesn’t become the norm.

Overall, I wouldn’t be too concerned about this situation. It’s just part of the normal coach-GM give-and-take.