The Las Vegas Raiders’ offseason plans became much clearer on Wednesday, when they reportedly finalized terms with John Spytek to become their new general manager.
While the offseason is still young, bringing Spytek aboard solves one major mystery surrounding the Raiders. Now, the team and fanbase awaits the decision on their next head coach, as well as how they hope to improve for next season.
Prior to joining the Raiders, Spytek worked his way up the ladder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, building the team into a regular playoff contender with four straight NFC South divisional titles and a Super Bowl victory.
The Raiders are now hoping Spytek can provide a similar outline for success for themselves. The only question now is what Spytek intends to do in his first offseason at the helm.
The Brady effect
The one thing that stood out about Spytek from his first interview onwards was his connection to Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, which made him an instant favorite for the position.
Spytek played a major role in bringing Brady to the Buccaneers, and the decision paid off in spades with a Super Bowl title. The roles have now been reversed in this case, where Brady used his connections to bring a top candidate to Las Vegas.
The significance of this decision ends up laying with Brady’s impact on decision-making, which was felt during the Raiders’ pursuit of Ben Johnson as head coach before he signed on with the Chicago Bears.
While Spytek will ultimately be the one with the final say, he will be more receptive to Brady’s input. If the future Hall of Famer has an idea that conceivably helps the team, Spytek will weigh the pros and cons and see if there is a feasible path.
Brady was long confirmed to have a say in what the Raiders do, and bringing Spytek along as GM cements that he will have the ear of the front office.
The head coaching decision
Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is the current favorite to land the head coaching position after Johnson chose Chicago, and that is a good choice as far as fallback options go.
However, between Spytek’s hiring and information leaked by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the plot is thickening around who will ultimately land the job.
“I think Tom Brady’s personal relationships are a factor here,” Breer said on the Rich Eisen Show. “One thing that I did hear was not to rule out was not to rule out Pete Carroll or Steve Spagnuolo because Brady has respect for them having gone up against them.”
???? @AlbertBreer
Just after this chat with @theMMQB senior writer, #RaiderNation reportedly came to agreement with John Spytek to be their GM — who’s going to be head coach?#NFL pic.twitter.com/A0ClyYNTTR
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) January 22, 2025
The defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, Spagnuolo has interviewed with the Raiders already this offseason. While he was never truly considered for the job, Spytek’s presence in the front office pushes Spagnuolo up in the rankings.
Spytek started his executive career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005 as an intern and college scouting assistant, where he crossed paths with then-linebackers coach Spagnuolo. While the two have not worked together since 2006, there is a level of familiarity there.
For a more recent connection, Spytek can call on Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The two joined the Buccaneers at the same time in 2016, with Spytek as director of player personnel and Monken as offensive coordinator under head coach Dirk Koetter.
Monken was not retained when Koetter was fired in 2019, but his time with the Georgia Bulldogs (with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, no less) and Baltimore has seen his stock rise to an all-time high. Despite the Raiders’ rough quarterback situation, Monken has shown he can make an offense function rather well.
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen would be considered an option, but he turned down the head coaching job of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Buccaneers are now preparing to make him one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the league, likely meaning he is off the table for this cycle.
What seemed like Carroll’s race to lose now has some competition, and intrigue will likely pick back up once the Raiders ramp up their search efforts again.
Free agency
While free agency decisions will be impacted by the head coaching hire as well, Spytek going to Las Vegas means he will have some influence on who joins him from Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers have a few pending free agents who will draw some interest from the Raiders, chief among them being wide receiver Chris Godwin.
An ankle injury limited Godwin to seven games this season, but he had three straight 1,000-yard campaigns from 2021-23. The injury could scare some suitors off and allow the Raiders to get Godwin at a discount, but he is still seen as one of the best receivers on the market.
If the Raiders land him, he would fit in seamlessly as the team’s new slot receiver. With All-Pro tight end Bowers and 1,000-yard receiver Jakobi Meyers already in Las Vegas, adding Godwin would force opposing defenses to gameplan for multiple options.
Edge rushers Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson would also provide key pass rushing depth behind Maxx Crosby, and quarterback Kyle Trask would be a familiar name that adds depth to the current room.
The Raiders will also be paying attention to potential cap cuts, with cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jordan Whitehead closest to the chopping block. Should Tampa Bay decide to move on from either one, the Raiders will be a team to watch to swoop in.
Spytek has built successful teams before, and he has been rewarded with a team of his own to run. Raiders fans are now hoping he takes full advantage of the opportunity.
