Tag: John Spytek

Bucs assistant GM: ‘Offensive lineman are sexy as hell’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek knows the value of investing premium draft resources in the offensive trenches

We all know that “skill position” players steal all the headlines in football these days, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers know that those positions don’t mean much if you’re not taking care of business in the trenches.

Speaking to the media after Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft, Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek made clear the importance of investing premium draft resources in top talent along the offensive line.

“I know the whole world is caught up in fantasy (football) now, and receivers this, and running backs this…I think offensive linemen as sexy as hell,” Spytek said. “I think Todd (Bowles) made a great point earlier: If you don’t draft and develop offensive linemen, you’re never gonna get good offensive linemen. Teams don’t let good offensive linemen get out of their building. And if you do get one, they’re usually mid-tier free agents that you’re paying way too much money for.”

Spytek and the Bucs’ front office know a thing or two about drafting and developing offensive linemen, having done so with multiple Pro Bowlers in Tristan Wirfs and Ali Marpet, as well as other quality starters over the past decade. Those players were critically important to the most successful run in franchise history, which has included a second Lombardi Tropy and a current streak of three straight NFC South title and four consecutive trips to the postseason.

They’ll obviously be hoping to do the same with this year’s additions in the 2024 draft class in Graham Barton and Elijah Klein.

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Bucs assistant GM John Spytek breaks down Day 3 draft picks

Hear what Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek had to say about the team’s Day 3 draft picks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their 2024 NFL draft class Saturday with three more picks, loading up on more help for the offense with another interior offensive lineman, a running back, and a tight end.

Oregon running back Bucky Irving was selected in the fourth round, UTEP guard Elijah Klein was added in the sixth round, and Washington tight end Devin Culp rounded out the class in the seventh round.

Watch the video above to see Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek break down all of Tampa Bay’s selections from Day 3.

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WATCH: Bucs assistant GM John Spytek breaks down Day 2 picks

Hear what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting in all three of their Day 2 picks in the 2024 NFL draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added three more talented players to their roster Friday, filling needs on both sides of the ball on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft.

Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell was the Bucs’ second-round pick at No. 57 overall, followed by Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith (No. 89 overall) and Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (No. 92 overall) in the third round.

Watch the video above to see Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek break down Tampa Bay’s Day 2 selections.

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Two Bucs staffers listed among potential future GMs by Sports Illustrated

The Bucs’ front office has a ton of talent, and two notable names could become general managers of their own in the coming years.

In a business as large as the National Football League, change is inevitable. Whether it be at the player-level or in the front office, the NFL world is constantly undergoing transition. Those who are the best at their jobs are the ones who can seamlessly adapt to that change.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the more impressive front offices in the NFL. Led by general manager Jason Licht, Tampa Bay’s front office made headlines in 2020 and secured perhaps the biggest free agency addition in NFL history in seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

The work done by Bucs front office has garnered respect amongst the rest of the NFL as they near their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The performances by a few staffers in particular have put themselves in contention for future GM positions.

Sports Illustrated writer Albert Breer compiled a list of 29 front office staffers who he believes are “Hot Names to Watch as Future NFL GMs.” The list included two Bucs assistant GMs, John Spytek and Mike Greenberg.

Here’s what Breer wrote about each of Tampa Bay’s staffers:

[Greenberg] came up on the cap side, but he has done more crossing over as he closes out his 14th season with the Tampa organization. For years, the Bucs had the NFL’s cleanest cap, and Greenberg was able to help them pivot to a win-now model during Tom Brady’s three years. But this year came with a big reset of the cap. Greenberg also brings experience working in the league office, which will appeal to some owners.

[Spytek] would be there with Borgonzi, Hortiz, McClay and Peters on the highest of this list. Spytek is another experienced evaluator who has worked for the league’s best organizations. His first full-time job in the league was for the Eagles. He then was hired by Mike Holmgren and the late Tom Heckert in Cleveland, and spent three years (and won a Super Bowl) with Elway in Denver. In Tampa he’s been alongside Jason Licht in building a championship roster, and luring his former college teammate Tom Brady to Florida.

It isn’t rumored that either Bucs assistant GM is looking for a position outside of Tampa Bay. However, this isn’t the first time there have been reports about each contending for a head GM position.

Spytek was interviewed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in May 2022 for a GM position, and Greenberg has been rumored to be in the mix of different GM positions before he was promoted to assistant GM by the Bucs in 2021.

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Raiders request interview with Buccaneers exec John Spytec for open General Manager job

Same day Raiders request interview with Bucs DC Todd Bowles for their head coach position, they request an interview Bucs exec John Spytec for open General Manager job

Early Tuesday reports came out that the Raiders are requesting an interview with Buccaneers Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles for their head coaching position. Now reports have the Raiders requesting an interview with Bucs’ personnel man John Spytec according to ESPN’s Tom Pelissero.

A lot has been made about the possibility of the Raiders essentially hiring a GM and head coach who have worked together in some capacity. That would certainly apply to Bowles and Spytec. Though that isn’t an automatic. Successful teams often have coaches and executives poached by other teams.

And if you’d like to see connections, Spytek played football at Michigan. Jim Harbaugh is currently the head coach at Michigan.