Former Minnesota Vikings executive finds new role in National Football League after being initially hired as a consultant

Rick Spielman hired by New York Jets

It's a really interesting hire for the Jets. Spielman has been out of the NFL for the last three seasons after the Vikings relieved him of his general manager duties after the 2021 season.

The other really interesting element of this hire was that Spielman headed up the consulting crew with Mike Tannenbaum and The 33rd Team the Jets hired to help find their next general manager. He obviously made a great impression on the organization that they hired him.

Spielman has a long history in the National Football League. He got his start with the Detroit Lions in 1990 as a scout before joining the Chicago Bears as their Director of Pro Personnel for three years. 

Spielman jumped to the Miami Dolphins in 2000 as their VP of Pro Personnel while rising up the ranks to being the general manager in 2004. He was let go after the season and took a year hiatus before joining the Vikings as a part of the Triangle of Authority in 2006.

After spending six years as the VP of Player Personnel for the Vikings, he got promoted to head decision-maker and general manager in 2012, serving as the GM for the Vikings for 10 seasons.

Since leaving the Vikings, Spielman has spent time with both CBS Sports and The 33rd Team in media roles, including the podcast With The First Pick. That time is now over, as Spielman moves back into the NFL, likely with hopes of becoming a general manager again.