The Minnesota Vikings leadership is set up well for the future. Head coach Kevin O’Connell signed an extension after playoff appearances in two of his first three years. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is on the cusp of an extension after hitting big on free agents last offseason. So, it should come as no surprise that former Vikings brass are also finding jobs in the NFL.
Rick Spielman joining Jets’ front office
Rick Spielman, the Minnesota Vikings GM from 2012 to 2022, was hired by the Jets on Thursday to be their senior football adviser. This comes on the heels of New York hiring a new head coach and GM last month, which Spielman helped make happen.
The #Jets are hiring former #Vikings GM Rick Spielman as a senior advisor in their front office.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2025
Spielman was part of the @The33rdTeamFB search committee that helped find HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey—and now he’s joining the organization as well. pic.twitter.com/37yjn8VPza
Spielman was part of The 33rd Team, a company the Jets hired to find and evaluate candidates during their search. Alongside former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, Spielman interviewed 31 candidates for both positions. The committee landed on Aaron Glenn as head coach and Darren Mougey as GM. Glenn was previously the defensive coordinator for the Lions, while Mougey was the assistant GM for the Broncos.
In his role, Spielman will mostly be working remotely as a sounding board for the new regime. On his podcast “With the First Pick,” Spielman explained that Glenn and Mougey will obviously have the final decision when it comes to transactions. He will just be there to assist the relatively inexperienced front office.
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Last offseason, Spielman helped lead a similar head coach/GM search for the Washington Commanders. That seemed to work well, as they ultimately landed on Adam Peters as GM, who drafted franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. They paired him with head coach Dan Quinn, who led them to their first NFC Championship Game since 1992.
Spielman’s history as a Minnesota Viking
This will be Rick Spielman’s first NFL job since being fired by the Minnesota Vikings following the 2021 season. As a member of the front office since 2006 and as GM starting in 2012, he was an integral part of the Vikings’ past, present and future.
Starting in 2007, Spielman and co. drafted Adrian Peterson, who became the franchise leader in rushing and won a league MVP. Two years later, he helped draft Percy Harvin. Two years after that came Kyle Rudolph. Both players had Pro Bowl seasons in Minnesota.
In his first year as GM, Spielman hit a home run drafting Harrison Smith. A six-time Pro Bowler and former first-team All-Pro, Smith has been an important cog in the Vikings defense all 13 years of his career. Spielman also drafted fan favorites like Teddy Bridgewater, Eric Kendricks, Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook. His success in the draft is obvious.
Even today, his picks are coming to fruition. Spielman drafted Justin Jefferson in 2020, and he has flourished into the Minnesota Vikings’ superstar. He also took Christian Darrisaw in 2021, who has turned into one of the better tackles in the league.
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The success in the draft, however, was marred by struggles in free agency and a strained relationship with head coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings were never able to sustain wins in the playoffs (if they could make it there), and quarterback Kirk Cousins did not end up being the answer. When Zimmer and Spielman had a falling out, Minnesota decided to let them both go in 2022.