Wisconsin Native Hired to Serve as General Manager of NFL Team

NFL teams have begun hiring new coaches and general managers at a rapid pace. This week alone, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was named the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. Yesterday, Aaron Glenn of the Detroit Lions took the New York Jets coaching job. And last week, the Tennessee Titans, who hold the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, hired Kansas City Chiefs' Mike Borgonzi as general manager.

New coaches and general managers give teams a renewed sense of excitement. However, when it comes to general managers, most names aren't known by the common NFL fan until they're announced. That's the case for the new man in charge of leading the Las Vegas Raiders' front office. As it turns out, he has a connection to our region!

Yesterday, it was announced that 44-year-old John Spytek would be the new general manager for the Las Vegas Raiders. Spytek previously worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2016, having numerous titles during his nine-year stint. Most recently, Spytek was the assistant general manager; the right-hand-man of longtime General Manager Jason Licht.

Spytek also has a deep connection to Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, per NFL.com. Spytek was a freshman outside linebacker at Michigan when Brady was a senior. The duo won a Super Bowl together with the Bucs in Brady's first season with Tampa in 2020. During that time, Spytek was director of player personnel.

But prior to sharing the field with Brady at Michigan, Spytek grew up in Pewaukee, WI (the same hometown of NFL great J. J. Watt), and attended high school at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha. While there, he played football and was a two-way end, being a starter for three years.

Spytek went on to attend Michigan, and while he ultimately didn't make an NFL roster, he soon joined the Detroit Lions as an intern in 2004. From there, he worked in Philadelphia (2005 - 2009), Cleveland (2010 - 2012), and Denver (2013 - 2015), handling a variety of scouting duties.

At each of those stops, Spytek undoubtedly made connections with many coaches, which he'll need because the next order of business for the Raiders will be hiring a head coach.

The Raiders have been in flux for years. Earlier this month, team owner Mark Davis fired both General Manager Tom Telesco and Head Coach Antonio Pierce after only one year on the job. Prior to that, Davis stepped in and fired General Manager Dave Ziegler and Head Coach Josh McDaniels midway through the 2023 season, only their second on the job.

Spytek will look to be the first Raiders GM in years to last more than two consecutive seasons. Sources are suggesting former Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl winning coach Pete Carroll could be the team's ultimate hire in the coming days.

Read more about new Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek and his Wisconsin connections on Wikipedia.