Rick

Spielman

Jerry Reese and Doug Whaley were also interviewed by the Steelers. Spielman was fired by Minnesota after spending 16 years with the team. He held the general manager title for 10 seasons but operated as the de facto general manager for another six years. Spielman’s Vikings went 132-123-2 during his entire tenure but never made a name for themselves in the postseason. They made the playoffs six times but failed to make it past the NFC Championship. Spielman is well respected in league circles and has a scouting background on his resume. With Steelers GM Kevin Colbert expected to step down after the 2022 NFL Draft, Spielman could quickly emerge as his successor.

Spielman would reportedly get a football position that reports directly to owner Shad Khan and is above GM Trent Baalke as most candidates have shied away from accepting the role of Jacksonville’s head coach if the latter is still involved. It’s a backward approach to assembling a front office but the Jaguars know no other way. Spielman at least warrants respect in an organization that lacks it, potentially pushing a candidate with clout (ex: Doug Pederson) to come along for the ride if he’s hired.

It’s unclear what the position would be. Spielman, one of the league’s most respected general managers before he was shockingly dismissed by the Vikings last month, could bring some much-needed clout to a joke franchise lacking any sense of direction. Locking up Spielman in the team’s front office would inspire confidence in the team’s next head coach following last year’s Urban Meyer debacle, even if GM Trent Baalke somehow stays put.

It’s a stunner of a move after the team was reportedly settled on keeping Spielman while axing head coach Mike Zimmer. Instead, both men are gone after a third straight season in which the team missed the postseason. Vikings ownership apparently grew tired of spending big and getting no return for their investment. Spielman and Zimmer’s fate was always attached to Kirk Cousins’ success -- or lack thereof. The team will start over in 2022, perhaps moving on from Cousins after years of erratic play in an offense that should be better. Studs Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook make the Vikings an appealing destination for the team’s next general manager and head coach. Prone to big gambles, Spielman usually — emphasis on usually — got the macro details right, but his rosters just didn’t have enough depth the past few seasons.

Spielman has held the title of GM since 2012. The Vikings have posted two losing seasons in his eight-year tenure and have a 72-54 record under Spielman. He previously served as the Vice President of Player Personnel in Minnesota for six seasons before assuming his current role. The Vikings have Kirk Cousins under contract through 2022 and head coach Mike Zimmer locked up through 2023. Spielman is an aggressive GM and his tenacity has largely been rewarded. Minnesota has one of the brightest outlooks from an organizational perspective in the league.

Spielman added, “If there are players still there ... in the upper echelon of the 2nd/3rd round ... once we finalize our game plan that’s a definite possibility.” Minnesota has nine picks on day three, including four combined in rounds four and five. Clearly they have enough ammo to trade up and go get their guy if they wish. It’s unclear what position they could be targeting, but coach Mike Zimmer has certainly loved drafting high-round CBs over the years.

Spielman had been heading into a lame duck season. Now both he and coach Mike Zimmer are under contract through 2020. The Vikings’ general manager since 2006, Spielman’s tenure has come with a high floor and interesting ceiling. A big thinker who is never afraid to make splashy moves, Spielman sometimes pays for his boldness but is more often rewarded for it.