Raiders new general manager has a long track record of going after QBs on the open market
The Las Vegas Raiders’ general manager search is over as John Spytek is reportedly getting the job. Spytek brings over 20 years of NFL front-office experience and his biggest task this offseason regarding the Raiders’ roster is finding a quarterback.
So, while the new GM hasn’t been in this role yet, he has a long track record in the league and has at least been a part of the decision-making process for several additions to the most important position on the field.
Eagles
Spytek’s career began with the Philadelphia Eagles where he was a college/pro scout from 2007-2009. The Eagles already had Donovan McNabb in place but the club did use a second-round pick on Kevin Kolb out of Houston in 2007, who was viewed as a potential replacement for McNabb.
However, that never came to fruition as Kolb didn’t pan out and Philadelphia signed Michael Vick after Vick’s two-year absence from the game during his stint in prison for dog fighting. Vick would take over the starting job after McNabb’s departure, throwing for nearly 10,000 yards, 57 touchdowns and rushing for just under 2,000 yards and 15 scores in five seasons.
Browns
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After a few years in The City of Brotherly Love, Spytek took over as the Cleveland Browns’ director of scouting from 2010 to 2012. This role wasn’t exactly a strong résumé builder as he drafted Colt McCoy in the third round and signed a 35-year-old Jake Delhome during his first year while using a first-round pick on Brandon Weeden in his last year.
McCoy ended up having a decent career as a backup but never could stick as a starter while Delhome was close to retirement, and Weeden ended up being a bust. Granted, there is a long list of people who have struggled to turn around the Brows, both at quarterback and in the front office.
Broncos
Thus, Spytek went back to being a scout for three years, landing with the Denver Broncos in 2013. He won a Super Bowl in Denver but was never part of any quarterback decisions as the Broncos signed Peyton Manning and drafted Brock Osweiler the year before Spytek’s arrival.
Buccaneers
In 2016, Spytek was brought on as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ director of player personnel and worked his way up to assistant general manager in 2023 before leaving for the promotion in Las Vegas.
The Bucs already had Jameis Winston in the fold, who was the No. 1 overall pick the year prior. The club did bring in 35-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2017 with Fitzpatrick serving as a backup and spot starter for two years. Winston was the starter the following season and had his infamous 30-touchdown and 30-interception campaign before Spytek brought one of his former college teammates to take over.
The Michigan alum was part of the crew that convinced Tom Brady to sign with Tampa for the team’s Super Bowl season in 2020. Brady would start every game over his three years with the Buccaneers, and the organization used a 2021 second-round pick on Kyle Trask to be a potential successor.
However, Spytek and Co. signed Baker Mayfield in the offseason two years ago and Mayfield edged out Trask for the starting spot while becoming a Pro Bowler.
What does it mean?
Well, there are nine quarterbacks listed above and five were added via free agency. While that isn’t a significant majority, it’s safe to say the crew of Brady, Mayfield, Vick, Fitzpatrick and Delhome outperformed McCoy, Weeden, Kolb and Trask.
Does that guarantee Las Vegas will use the open market to find a quarterback this offseason? No, but Spytek has a history and a better track record of targeting experienced passers. Even Weeden was 28 when the Browns drafted him, becoming the oldest first-round pick in NFL history.
So, keep an eye out for free-agent quarterbacks this offseason as Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Justin Fields headline the list. Also, Trask will be available on the open market as another option to compete for the starting job in Las Vegas.