The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly in agreement on a deal to make John Spytek their new general manager. Spytek was previously the assistant GM for the Tampa Buccaneers. The team is expected to announce the hiring soon. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on X on Wednesday morning.
Spytek, 44, has been with the Buccaneers since 2016. He’s previously worked as a scout and made stops with the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions. He was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams from his time in Tampa Bay and Denver.
Alongside Bucs GM Jason Licht, Spytek helped build some of the best rosters the league has seen over the last decade. Tampa Bay has done exceptionally well in the draft recently — especially in the middle rounds. Just this past year, the Bucs selected WR Jalen McMillan and RB Bucky Irving in the third and fourth rounds, respectively, and both made key contributions toward a division title and fifth-straight playoff appearance.
Of course, the Buccaneers signed a key free agent that propelled them to win Super Bowl LV. Seven-time Super Bowl champion and Raider part-owner Tom Brady has a connection with Spytek that goes beyond their together in Tampa Bay. The pair played at Michigan together for a year. Brady’s history with Vegas’ reported hire surely played a part in this hiring.
With a GM now in place, the Raiders will look to fill in the vacant head coaching spot. Ben Johnson heading to Chicago was surprising to many media members — especially those in Raider circles who believed he was headed to Las Vegas. It will be interesting to see if Spytek contacts Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen about the opening. Cohen reportedly agreed to stay in Tampa Bay (with a pay raise), but a possible promotion could entice him to switch gears.
The Raiders were also reportedly interested in Ravens OC Todd Monken, and have conducted interviews with several other candidates including Robert Saleh, Vance Joseph, Ron Rivera, Steve Spagnuolo, and Pete Carroll.
With the Bears (Johnson), Patriots (Mike Vrabel), and Jets (Aaron Glenn) all spoken for, expect the Raiders to take their time in finalizing their coaching search. They are one of three teams remaining with a vacancy — Saints and Cowboys. Spytek will likely be heavily involved in the process as the Raiders will go into next season with a brand, new regime.
