What Tom Telesco Wants in a Quarterback

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Las Vegas Raiders are in a unique position ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft regarding the quarterback position.

The Raiders finished the season with rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell leading the way but according to Coach Antonio Pierce, they are looking to “put a plan together” regarding the position.

The Raiders will explore all options for improving the team, including evaluating the quarterback position.

General Manager Tom Telesco once hit on a quarterback prospect in Justin Herbert, which was a success for the Los Angeles Chargers. Raider Nation hopes Telesco can hit another home run by finding a signal caller for the Silver and Black.

Telesco spoke about what traits he looks for in a quarterback at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“The two for me are probably leadership and toughness,” Telesco said. “I think you have to start with that. He’s got to be somebody that when you’re in the huddle, and those 10 other players are looking you in the eyes, that you can lead that group, and you’ve got to have that. So, those are the two most important things for me. Then it kind of goes into preparation skills for that position. It’s like none other, and probably no other sport in professional sports.

"So, talking about leadership, toughness, preparation skills, and then when you get into the physical abilities, then you have to start sliding different scales for things because there are no perfect players. You have to realize that, but I would start with leadership and toughness and work my way from there.”

Telesco highly values intangibles from the quarterback position. Whoever the next quarteback of the Silver and Black is, he must be able to command a huddle and bring the team together.

Telesco wants his next quarterback to be tough, whether physically tough, maintaining hits and playing through an aggressive game, or mentally tough, being able to rally his team in a pivotal moment.

The Raiders will consider all options regarding the quarterback, but Telesco will look for traits of greatness in a signal-caller that separates him from the crowd.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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