Old Friend of Vikings in the Mix with New York Jets
He’s been removed from the Minnesota Vikings for nearly three years, but former general manager Rick Spielman is back in the mix — with the New York Jets.
Old Friend of Vikings in the Mix with New York Jets
Spielman, who creates written and video content for The 33rd Team, will assist the Jets in their general manager and head coaching search, along with 33rd Team boss Mike Tannenbaum.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, “Jets are retaining The 33rd Team to support them on their upcoming general manager and head coaching searches. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman will lead the project for the NFL Technology and Media company. The 33rd Team will provide its data analysis and experience to assist the Jets in their search for new leadership.”
The Jets have totally cleaned house in the last six weeks, firing head coach Robert Saleh after a loss to the Vikings in London and canning general manager Joe Douglas last week. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers feels like the last man standing, and even he is probably in his final days with the Jets.
So, New York needs a new general manager and head coach, an effort Spielman and Tannenbaum will assist. The Jets employed Tannenbaum from 1997 to 2012 in various capacities, culminating in the general manager gig from 2006 to 2012. It’s a reunion for Tannenbaum and the Jets.
Spielman, meanwhile, hasn’t worked for an NFL team since the Vikings cut ties in early 2022. He did, however, assist the Washington Commanders in their recent general manager and head coach search, which has netted immediate dividends. Perhaps Spielman can carry the streak into the AFC East.
The Vikings hired Spielman in 2006, and he remained in Minnesota until the end of the 2021 season. Along with head coach Mike Zimmer, Spielman was fired in January 2022, paving the way for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell to take over and produce a 29-16 (.644) record to date.
Zimmer and Spielman paired in Minnesota for eight seasons, leading the Vikings to the NFL’s 10th-best record during the timeframe. The product was more successful in the first six seasons, however, and culminated with a 2017 NFC Championship appearance. From 2020 on, the Vikings succumbed to playoff-less mediocre seasons, causing the move by ownership to hire new leadership.
All told, Spielman oversaw three coaches in Minnesota: Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier, and Zimmer. Minnesota reached two conference title games (2009, 2017) during his tenure.
In March of 2022, Spielman reportedly threw his hat in the ring to contend for the Pittsburgh Steelers open general manager job, but Pittsburgh ultimately hired Omar R. Khan.
In all likelihood, the next Jets regime will set course on the 2025 NFL Draft by seeking a new quarterback. New York would draft seventh in Round 1 if the event occurred tonight.
Spielman will turn 62 in one week.
End of an Era for One Young Viking
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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