Rick Spielman helped the New York Jets find their new coach and general manager, and now he will be joining their revamped front office.
The former general manager of the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins announced on his CBS Sports podcast on Thursday that he will take on the role of senior football adviser for the team.
Spielman, along with former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, assisted New York owner Woody Johnson in searching for a new coach and GM over the past few months. Both were part of The 33rd Team, a media, analytics, and consulting group founded in 2019 by Tannenbaum, which helped identify and interview potential candidates.
The Jets recently hired Aaron Glenn as their new coach and Darren Mougey as their GM, both of whom were introduced last Monday.
“Right now, my biggest project is trying to rebuild the football operation side of things,” Spielman said on the “With The First Pick” podcast. “There’s a lot of changes going on up there. I kind of feel honored and privileged that they called me to be part of it going forward.”
In his new role, Spielman will act as “a sounding board” for Glenn and Mougey. Phil Savage, who previously held the senior football adviser position and served as the interim GM after Joe Douglas was fired in November, will stay with the Jets as a consultant.
New York Jets players celebrate after his touchdown in the 2nd half“I don’t need to make the decisions,” Spielman said. “I don’t want to make the decisions anymore, I really don’t. I had my day in the sun, the good and the bad. What I enjoy the most is sharing experiences.”
Spielman, 62, was the Vikings’ general manager from 2012 to 2021 after spending six years as their vice president of player personnel. He was also the Dolphins’ GM in 2004 and served as an adviser last year to the Washington Commanders during their GM and coaching searches.
Spielman is the older brother of Chris Spielman, the former NFL linebacker and current Detroit executive who was one of the 15 candidates interviewed for the Jets’ GM job. Chris Spielman has been the special assistant to the president, CEO, and chairperson for the Lions since 2021.
