Well, that’s one domino that’s fallen off the board. The Las Vegas Raiders officially have found their new General Manager. After parting ways with Tom Telesco, the Raiders have brought in John Spytek. He was the assistant general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also, he was under the helm when Tom Brady was brought onboard, so there was a key connection with this hire. Also, it’s a good one for the Raiders and fans should feel a sense of optimism with this hire.

Spytek Getting His Shot In Vegas

This is a good hire for the Raiders. This is an organization that needs drafting and developing as they undergo this new regime. Spytek has been side by side with the current general manager of the Buccaneers Jason Licht for quite some time. He has had his fingerprints all over the roster, including drafting. In his time with the Bucs, he has helped build that roster through the draft and has pieces in place that have been building blocks for years to come.

In his tenure with the Bucs, he helped orchestrate a trade for Jason Pierre-Paul from the New York Giants. The Bucs then drafted Devin White with the fifth overall selection. He is now the anchor of that defense now. Furthermore, in 2020 he had his hand in drafting Antoine Whitfield Jr. and Tristan Wirfs. This is just the draft. Free agency has also seen his fair share of hits.

Spytek assisted in bringing in Tom Brady. The Bucs brought the six time superbowl champion to town and he led the team to winning it all. Also, Ndamukong Suh and Shaq Barrett were huge hits for that defense and even taking a flyer on Leonard Fournette paid dividends. Oh, and he landed Baker Mayfield after Brady retired and he’s become the Baker everyone envisioned when he was drafted. 

Bottom line is; Spytek has a nose for talent and helping evaluate talent. His track record is proven and he now gets his shot as the Raiders GM because of it. Now the real work begins.

Time to Get to Work

Since joining the Bucs in 2016, they’ve undergone nothing but success. They made the playoffs four times, six wins, and a Super Bowl. That’s awesome to see and for a guy who had his hands in it.

Spytek has certainly earned his job and finally gets his shot. He can take what he’s learned and done and apply it to the Raiders. Needless to say, the Raiders need a true overhaul and they’ll get it.

The Raiders need to draft and develop. They need to build through the draft and integrate players that can shape their roster. Offensively, they have pieces in place, such as Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, but they need more.

Spytek will have work to do and will need to take his talent evaluation and hit a home run this draft. The Raiders went 4-13 and are starving to getting out of the basement of the conference.

The Raiders needed to hit a home run with this new regime and I gotta say, this one was crushed out of the park.