Raiders News: Champ Kelly ‘Disappointed’ But Remaining With Team As Assistant GM

Corey Hansford
Corey Hansford
4 Min Read
November 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; (L-R) Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce, president Sandra Douglass Morgan, and interim general manager Champ Kelly pose for a photo before the game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Following the hiring of Antonio Pierce as Las Vegas Raiders head coach after holding the position on an interim basis, many felt that the same would be done at the general manager position with Champ Kelly.

After many interviews, however, the Raiders decided to go with former Los Angeles Chargers GM Tom Telesco for the position. This led many to wonder what the future of Kelly was with the Raiders and owner Mark Davis expressed his desire that he would remain with the franchise.

A positive sign towards that happening is currently taking place as, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Kelly is part of the Raiders’ group currently in attendance at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama:

The Raiders expressed hope that assistant general manager Champ Kelly would stay on after the team chose to hire Tom Telesco as its general manager instead.

So, consider it a good sign Kelly is part of the club’s contingency this week at the Senior Bowl. More than 100 of college football’s top prospects are at the event as part of the build up to April’s draft.

Bonsignore added that Kelly is expected to remain as the Raiders assistant GM unless he is hired by another team for their general manager position. To this point, Kelly has only interviewed for the Carolina Panthers’ position, but they went with Dan Morgan instead.

While Kelly hasn’t spoken publicly since the Raiders made their decision, he did make a post on Facebook noting his disappointment at being passed over for the job via Bonsignore:

“I am disappointed the way things turned out,” Kelly said. “But it won’t shake my Trust in the Lord. My faith muscle is strong. I am tremendously honored and humbled by all of the support, thoughts and prayers over the last few days. It has been a trying ‘wait’ period, but your prayers lifted and encouraged myself and my family.”

It is unfortunate for Kelly, but he has not lost faith and will continue to push hard until he gets the opportunity to run a team of his own. For now, he will continue doing everything he can to help the Raiders return to glory.

ESPN’s Robert Griffin III believes LSU’s Jayden Daniels would make Raiders a playoff team

One of the biggest tasks for Tom Telesco, Champ Kelly and the rest of the Raiders’ front office is finding the right quarterback. If they are looking at the draft, one of the best options could be LSU’s Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023.

ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III is a big fan and feels that Daniels would come in and immediately make the Raiders a playoff team with what he brings to the table. The LSU star is also very familiar with Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who was on the staff at Arizona State, where Daniels’ collegiate career began.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.