Jets add former Vikings GM Rick Spielman as senior football adviser
Rick Spielman says he will help Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. Credit: AP
NEW ORLEANS — The Jets are adding some much-needed experience to their front office.
Former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is being hired as a senior football adviser, he announced on his podcast “With the First Pick.”
Spielman played a role in the Jets’ searches for a new general manager (Darren Mougey) and coach (Aaron Glenn). It’s the first time either man has held the position.
“I’m going to be helping in any way that I can with Aaron Glenn, with Darren Mougey,” Spielman said. “Right now my biggest project is trying to rebuild the football operations side of things. So there are a lot of changes going on up there, and I kind of feel honored and privileged that they called me and asked me to be a part of it going forward.”
Spielman was part of The 33rd Team, the outside firm the Jets hired to assist in both searches. He and former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum helped vet the candidates and set up interviews and were part of the meetings with the candidates.
Spielman will be a valuable resource for Mougey, 39. He worked 13 years with the Broncos, the last three years as assistant general manager.
The two have a strong connection. Mougey was Broncos general manager George Paton’s right-hand man and Paton worked closely with Spielman in Minnesota. Spielman was with the Vikings from 2006-21, the last 10 years as general manager. Paton worked in the Vikings’ front office for 14 years, the last nine as assistant GM.
“Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey are the final decision-makers,” Spielman said. “I’m just there as their sounding board to help them and support them in any way.”
Mougey has begun making changes in the front office. He hired former Broncos scout Robbie Paton, George’s nephew, as co-director of player personnel and fired longtime Jets executives Greg Nejmeh and Dave Socie.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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