Former Vikings GM Contracted to Oversee New York Jets GM Hire

Life is difficult as a Minnesota Vikings fan. But it could always be worse. There are some sports franchises that are perpetually “down bad.” In the National Football League, the New York Jets are one of them. Thus, it was par for the course when the Aaron Rodgers acquisition helped to create nothing short of a mess.

The entire organization has found a way to reach new lows. Changes have already taken place this season, but owner Woody Johnson is still needs a general manager. The way in which he intends to hire his next one is… unique?

After firing former GM Joe Douglas, the Jets have decided they need to contract out the hiring of their next general manager and head coach. They won’t go with the classic “search firm”, though. That’s too old school.

Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman gets an odd gig for the Jets

Instead, they are contracting the analytically based football website “The 33rd Team”, which was co-founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, to find the next leader of their front office. Oh, and heading the search with Tannenbaum is former Minnesota Vikings president of football operations, Mike Zimmer.

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… pic.twitter.com/NfRwDt39cA

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 25, 2024

Spielman ran the the Minnesota Vikings for, with one title or another, for 15 years. He did some things really well, which is why he stayed in charge so long. In the end, the Wilf family moved on because Spielman and Zimmer’s relationship deteriorated to an untenable level.

Ownership saw a need to completely overhaul the football operations and development staff, which is what they did in hiring Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. How does this happen?

Related: Vikings Executive Floated as Candidate for GM Job He May Not Want

The New York Jets are worth nearly $7 billion. Seriously, how did the best option in this process become hiring two retread front office executives to lead a GM and head coach search that they really have no business running?

It remains to be seen where the New York Jets will land when the dust settles. No matter what, you can bet that Rodgers and a handful of his Packers cronies will be out on the street when the calendar turns to 2025.