Early career Telesco worked as a college summer intern for the
Buffalo Bills (1991–94). In 1995, Telesco began his NFL career as a scouting assistant for the
Carolina Panthers. He served in that role for two seasons before becoming an area scout in 1997.
Indianapolis Colts Telesco joined the Colts as an area scout from 1998 to 2000. He served as a pro scout from 2001 to 2003 before being elevated to the team's director of pro scouting (2004–05). At the conclusion of the 2005 campaign, Telesco moved into the director of player personnel role. Telesco's tenure with the Colts was one of the most successful eras of the franchise's history and his arrival in 1998 also coincided with the beginning and end of the
Peyton Manning era. From 1998 to 2012, the Colts went 154–86 and appeared in the playoffs 12 times, winning eight division titles, while finishing second four times. Those 12 postseason appearances included a victory over Chicago in
Super Bowl XLI following the 2006 season and a loss to New Orleans in
Super Bowl XLIV after the 2009 season. Indianapolis’ 154 wins from 1998 to 2012 were the second-most in the NFL during that span after New England's 168 wins.
San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers On January 9, 2013, Chargers President Dean Spanos chose Tom Telesco as the team's new general manager. Telesco was hired after long time Chargers general manager
A. J. Smith was fired in 2013. He inherited a team that had not made the playoffs since 2009 and been underachieving due to injuries and poor depth. At 40 years old, Telesco became the youngest general manager in Chargers history and one of the youngest general managers in the NFL. Telesco said the Chargers would be a draft-driven organization that would use free agents to supplement the roster.
Las Vegas Raiders On January 23, 2024, Telesco was named general manager of the
Las Vegas Raiders. On January 9, 2025, Telesco was fired by the Raiders. == Personal life ==