Commanders’ advisor Rick Spielman likes Drake Maye ‘a lot’

Spielman believes all three of the top QB prospects will be successful in the NFL.

When Josh Harris announced on Jan. 8 that he had fired Washington head coach Ron Rivera, he also announced an advisory committee that consisted of Harris, some of his minority owners, and two outside executives: Former NBA two-time executive of the year Bob Myers and longtime Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.

The purpose of the advisory committee was to help Harris find his next general manager and head coach. Within one week, the Commanders found their GM, Adam Peters.

After interviewing eight candidates, Washington landed on Dan Quinn as its new head coach. Since then, Quinn has hired an impressive coaching staff.

Now, Washington’s front office and coaching staff are examining the roster ahead of free agency and the 2024 NFL draft.

With the coaching search over, what is Spielman’s role? He isn’t involved in the day-to-day operations of the Commanders. Peters is over personnel. But we do know the former GM loves projected No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Spielman called Williams a “franchise-changing quarterback” in an October interview before he took on the advisory role in Washington.

The Commanders have the No. 2 overall pick, and if, as expected, the Bears take Williams as No. 1 overall, they’ll be deciding between Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.

Who does Spielman think is the next-best QB behind Williams?

“I like Drake Maye a lot,” Spielman said on the PFF NFL podcast recently. “I had the ability to watch him play live down in Miami last year. And his size, I think he is very athletic, I think he has arm talent. I think he’s another one; he didn’t have the same talent around him this year. He made some poor decisions turning the ball over or forcing the ball over where he probably could have kept it.”

What does he think of Daniels?

“Jayden Daniels is an incredible story,” Spielman said. “Coming from where he started at, at ASU, Arizona State, where he was still developing. You could say, “God, this guy will never be a first-round pick.’ But when he transferred to LSU and the strides he made from last year to this year. And how much better he has improved. I think all three of these are going to very successful quarterbacks in the league. I think there is a drop-off into the next tier.”

While Spielman will not be making decisions on which quarterback the Commanders will take in April, he’s likely had a conversation or two with Peters about each of the top passers in the 2024 draft.

Rick Spielman enjoying his short-term role with the Commanders

Rick Spielman is enjoying his advisory role with the Commanders, praising Josh Harris as the right person to own the franchise.

Former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is enjoying serving the Washington Commanders in their two key searches.

Spielman joined the Vikings in 2006 and, for the next 17 seasons, worked in the front office, first in player personnel manager and then as the general manager.

Yet, Spielman is still taking the posture of learning from others’ NFL experiences and knowledge while helping the Commanders in last week’s search for Adam Peters as GM and now their head-coaching search.

Spielman spoke with Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports Wednesday and wanted to set the record straight from the beginning that he (Spielman) is not going to be involved in any player personnel evaluations for Adam Peters and the Commanders.

The brother of former Detroit Lions linebacker Chris Spielman assured Wilson he is not doing any work with Peters and the Commanders on the direction they are going to go in April’s NFL draft.

Josh Harris was the object of Spielman’s praise, expressing that Harris was the right guy to own the Commanders franchise at this time. He referred to Harris’s approach in interviewing the general manager candidates as “diligent” and also “detailed.”

“I was excited because interviewing all the five candidates that came through, they were all more than qualified. I believe all of them are going to be a GM here in the near future.”

Spielman offered that he learned much during the process as well. He learned something about how teams run their draft process, analytics, and sports science. “As much as I was trying to interview them I actually was really fascinated by the way the NFL has changed in the last five or six years.”

He also offered that through the interviews and listening and interacting with the candidates, he could see how each of them had already been successful.

Here is the video of the entire dialog between Wilson and Spielman.

Josh Harris’ advisors played key role in Commanders landing GM Adam Peters

Josh Harris’ search for a new GM was “thorough and rapid,” and his advisory committee

Thorough and rapid. That’s how Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris described his search for a general manager last week.

Harris met with the media last Monday — the day after Washington’s season-ending loss to the Cowboys. By Friday, he had hired San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as the team’s new general manager.

Over two days last week, Harris and members of his advisory committee, Bob Myers and Rick Spielman, met with five assistant GMs from other franchises. After the initial set of interviews, Harris narrowed the list to Peters and Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.

Peters and Cunningham would undergo another interview, with Harris and his advisors meeting with minority partners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, and David Blitzer to finalize their decision.

In his weekly column for Sports Illustrated, Albert Breer highlighted the impact of Myers and Spielman in the process of hiring Peters.

Breer noted that Spielman began working with Harris on the weekend of Week 16. That’s the week when the Commanders played the New York Jets on Christmas Eve. However, it was Myers, a longtime friend of Harris from their time in the NBA, who first reached out to Spielman to gauge his interest in meeting with Harris.

Harris made it clear no decision had been made on head coach Ron Rivera’s future, but he wanted to have a list of candidates ready if he moved on from Rivera. So, Spielman, the longtime Minnesota Vikings general manager, accepted Harris’ offer to join his advisory committee, along with Myers, Harris, and his minority owners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, and David Blitzer.

Spielman went to work on creating a list for a new head of football operations and a head coach.

Spielman’s work through the final two weeks of the season was done quietly. He made calls but didn’t tell folks who he was working for, gathering information discreetly. Then, the Monday after Week 18, once Harris let Rivera go, Spielman drove to Miami and got to work talking with folks such as former Arizona Cardinals GM and Fritz Pollard Alliance exec Rod Graves, former New York Giants GM Jerry Reese, former Jacksonville Jaguars exec Michael Huyghue and former Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, all whom worked in the league for decades, and attended last month’s accelerator program.

He was on the phone from 7:30 a.m. to about 11 p.m., checking every box on the five guys he’d identified, all of whom carried assistant GM titles: Peters, as well as Kansas City’s Mike Borgonzi, Cleveland’s Glenn Cook, Chicago’s Ian Cunningham, Philadelphia’s Alec Halaby.

Breer’s column included more, detailing the impact of Myers and Spielman on Washington’s search.

Washington fans were concerned, even upset, throughout the season when Harris chose not to fire Rivera. He was correct all along. What would firing Rivera in Weeks 10, 12, or 15 have done for the Commanders?

Instead, behind the scenes, Harris was ahead of the curve, preparing for the most important offseason, arguably, in franchise history.

Josh Harris is using relationships to rebuild the Commanders

Josh Harris is making all the right moves.

When the Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera last week, owner Josh Harris released a statement that he’d hired outside advisors to assist with his search for the franchise’s next head of football operations and head coach.

Joining Harris and minority partners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson and David Blitzer on Washington’s advisory committee were former two-time NBA Executive of the Year Bob Myers and former NFL Executive of the Year Rick Spielman.

There was some initial confusion as to why Harris — a longtime NBA owner — would bring on an NBA executive. It didn’t take long to realize that you didn’t need to be an NBA fan to see Myers’ accomplishments. He’s a team builder. He’s a program builder, and he’s all about relationships.

Spielman spent 32 years in different front offices around the NFL, including a stint as general manager of the Minnesota Vikings that ended in 2021.

Shortly after Harris’ statement, the Commanders requested permission to speak to potential GMs and head coaches. They began the interview process on Tuesday and, by Friday, had hired San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as the franchise’s new general manager.

Peters was the most coveted executive available, and Harris and his partners interviewed him on Tuesday, and by Friday, he was Washington’s GM.

What was the connection here? It was Myers.

While Garofolo’s initial report was incorrect — the pair didn’t go to the same high school — they are pretty friendly with one another. Both are natives of the Bay Area, and Peters accepted a position with San Francisco in 2017. At that time, Myers was GM and president of the Golden State Warriors, roles he stepped away from last May.

Myers had been to several 49ers’ games and built a friendly relationship with Peters over the years.

What about Spielman? His younger brother, Chris, a former NFL standout linebacker, is a special assistant to the Detroit Lions’ President/CEO.

What does that have to do with Washington?

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is reportedly the Commanders’ top target to be their next head coach.

Johnson joined the Lions in 2019, while Spielman returned to the franchise in his role in 2020. Of course, Spielman would know Johnson well.

Well played.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Johnson will be Washington’s next head coach. Johnson may seek another job, or the Commanders may be blown away by someone else in the interview process, such as Texans OC Bobby Slowik or Rams DC Raheem Morris.

You never know.

However, Harris is one step ahead. Could you ever say the same about former owner Dan Snyder? It’s a refreshing change for Washington to be a desirable place.

What does Commanders’ advisor Rick Spielman think of USC quarterback Caleb Williams?

Rick Spielman is a big fan of Caleb Williams.

Rick Spielman spent 32 consecutive seasons in the front office of an NFL team. He is a two-time general manager and was named the NFL Executive of the Year in 2017.

Spielman first served as a GM with the Miami Dolphins in 2004, but it was his stint with the Minnesota Vikings (2012-21) where he made his name. Spielman led the Vikings to six playoff appearances during his time as general manager and drafted players such as Adrian Peterson, Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith, Stefon Diggs and others. It was also Spielman who signed quarterback Kirk Cousins away from Washington.

Last week, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris hired Spielman and Bob Myers as advisors in his search for a new head of football operations and head coach. On Friday, Washington hired San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as general manager.

It’s unclear what Spielman’s future will be in Washington once the Commanders’ hiring process is complete, as Peters will make all final personnel decisions, but it is interesting to hear his perspective on the presumed No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft: USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Spielman is a fan. A big fan.

Spielman, who contributes to The 33rd Team, had the following to write about Williams in October.

He is a unique talent at quarterback. Williams’ athleticism is on full display on every tape you watch, but he is a quarterback first. He shows poise and patience in the pocket. He, at times, is too patient and relies on his unique athletic ability to buy a second chance looking for the big play instead of taking what the defense is giving him. Williams won’t have that type of luxury — holding the ball for as long as he does in the pocket — in the NFL.

Williams shows his ability to get through his progressions and get the ball out on time when he must. His arm strength, release quickness and ball placement jump out on the tape. NFL defensive coordinators are going to have to game plan for Williams’ unique athletic ability and speed to make plays with his legs.

If you need more proof of how much Spielman likes Williams, check out this video of Spielman being asked if he would take Williams or other former No. 1 picks, and, in most cases, Spielmen went with Williams.

That’s high praise.

More from his scouting report on Williams:

Overall, though, it is hard to poke a lot of holes in Williams’ game. He will have to adjust to the speed of the game in the NFL, and the windows will be tighter, but those adjustments should come quickly for him.

After watching the 2023 tape, there is no question that if everything checks out through the pre-draft process, he will be a franchise-changing quarterback for whoever drafts him.

It could mean nothing for multiple reasons. Ultimately, the Chicago Bears hold all the cards. They could take Williams, or they could trade the pick. A move up, even one spot, will be costly. Perhaps too costly for Washington’s new regime.

While Spielman will not be making personnel decisions for the Commanders, you can bet he’s given his scouting report to Harris.

Commanders hire former Warriors and Vikings GMs as advisers for front office, head coaching search

The former successful GMs have been brought on as advisors to Josh Harris in the search for the next head of football operations and head coach.

The Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday morning. Shortly afterward, it was revealed the Commanders hired a pair of prominent executives to help managing partner Josh Harris and the ownership group find a new head of football operations and head coach.

Bob Myers, former Golden State Warriors general manager, and Rick Speilman, former Minnesota Vikings general manager, were brought on board to assist ownership.

Myers, 48, is a former NCAA champion basketball player at UCLA who is a two-time NBA Executive of the Year as GM of the Warriors. He served as Golden State’s GM from 2012-2023 before he stepped down in June. Myers also served as the Warriors’ president of basketball operations from 2016-23.

Spielman, 61, is a longtime NFL executive who began his scouting career in 1990 with the Detroit Lions. He spent seven seasons with the Lions in scouting roles before moving to the Chicago Bears for three years as the director of pro personnel. In 2000, the Miami Dolphins hired Spielman as the vice president of player personnel, and he was promoted to GM in 2004.

Spielman left the Dolphins in 2005, working for ESPN until the Minnesota Vikings hired him in 2006 as the vice president of player personnel. He would hold that role until 2011, when he was promoted to general manager. He served as Minnesota’s GM until 2021.

Harris released a statement via ESPN.

“This is a crucial offseason for us, and we won’t shy away from the work needed to get back to a place where we can deliver a winning culture top to bottom,” Harris said in the statement via ESPN. “…I’ve known Bob a long time and watched him construct four championship teams and a highly successful organization in Golden State…He is innovative, thoughtful, well-connected across sports and understands what it takes to solidify and sustain championship infrastructure. I think he’s going to be incredibly additive.”

Myers and Spielman will serve in advisory roles to Harris and are not full-time hires.

Per the ESPN story, current Washington general manager Martin Mayhew and Executive VP of Football/Player Personnel Marty Hurney will remain with the organization for the time being, allowing the next head of football operations to determine their futures.

Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka is compared to NFL Pro Bowler by former NFL GM

That’s high praise for Egbuka #GoBucks

The [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] football wide receiver room is absolutely stacked.

Although [autotag]Marvin Harrison Jr.[/autotag] gets most of the publicity, and rightfully so, [autotag]Emeka Egbuka[/autotag] is also viewed as one of the best in the college game. The praise for the Washington native should be glowing, especially coming off a season where he caught 74 balls for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding two more scores on the ground.

Egbuka is universally viewed as a Day 1 selection in the NFL draft, but Twitter account NFL Rookie Watch is getting the hype train started early. In a recent tweet, it mentioned that former NFL GM Rick Spielman (the brother of Chris Spielman) said that Egbuka is “comparable” to Cincinnati Bengals star receiver [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag].

The praise continues with a claim that scouts view Egbuka as a “top-10” pick, and if it wasn’t for his teammate, he’d be the first receiver off the board. Speilman seems to love the Buckeyes’ two top receivers, also claiming that they’re a better combination than Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave were. And remember, both of them were first-round picks.

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Ex-NFL GM sees DeAndre Hopkins going to New England after recent moves

At the 11th hour, former NFL GM Rick Spielman sees DeAndre Hopkins signing with New England

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The New England Patriots have been rumored to be in the sweepstakes for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins throughout the offseason.

Even though things are quiet now, former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman sees the five-time All-Pro veteran eventually signing with the Patriots.

Hopkins visited both the Tennessee Titans and the Patriots at the beginning of the month. Now, he seems to be in no rush to make a decision. The 31-year-old caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns last season.

New England also created a little extra salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of wide receiver Devante Parker and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley over the course of this week.

Spielman believes New England has the edge in the Hopkins sweepstakes and said as much during his appearance on SirusXM NFL Radio on Thursday afternoon.

“By doing this, it created cap space to try and fit DeAndre Hopkins up in New England, which I think would be a huge need and a huge get for New England, especially with Mac Jones and giving him another offensive weapon,” said Spielman, when talking about the Patriots’ recent extensions. “And again, I don’t think the deal is going to get done until we get closer to training camp.

“They’ll haggle back and forth, but until you get to that 11th hour, when they’re getting ready to report to training camp, I think they’ll finalize the deal and DeAndre Hopkins will end up in New England, in my opinion.”

 

Hopkins would give New England a bona fide top wide receiver, as quarterback Mac Jones enters into a crucial third year. If nothing else, there seems to be a lot of smoke surrounding Hopkins joining the Patriots.

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Vikings owners send Rick Spielman new game balls

After losing all of his game balls in Hurricane Ian, Rick Spielman received new ones from Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf.

The Minnesota Vikings finished first in the inaugural team report cards issued by the NFL Players Association and instances like this are a major reason why.

According to former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, owners Zygi and Mark Wilf sent him replacement game balls after he lost them all in Hurrican Ian.

Spielman mentions in the above clip that this (football) business is brutal and he’s right. Things can go south really quickly and the turnover in front offices happen quickly. What doesn’t get discussed enough is the kind gestures that ownership makes to their current and former employees.

This is a simple gesture from the Wilf’s to Spielman, but one that won’t go unnoticed across the league. The Vikings are one of the best franchises to work for and this is one of the many reasons why.

Zulgad: K.J. Osborn knows that in the NFL, “they’re always looking to replace you”

After having a breakout season in 2022, K.J. Osborn knows a lot is on the line in his contract year writes @jzulgad.

The Vikings’ addition of Jordan Addison with their first-round pick in last month’s draft has been celebrated as a move that won’t just give the team another quality receiver but also will create valuable room for superstar Justin Jefferson to operate. It’s what the Vikings hoped Adam Thielen would be able to do last season before injuries and the aging process took their toll on the one-time standout.

Combine the Jefferson and Addison pairing with a full season of tight end T.J. Hockenson and coach/play-caller Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Kirk Cousins are expecting the Vikings’ scoring offense to shoot from eighth into the top five in 2023.

One of the interesting things about Addison’s addition — O’Connell called him a Day 1 starter in a draft-night video posted by the Vikings — is what it will mean for K.J. Osborn?

The Vikings will talk about the competition for the No. 2 job at wide receiver, but it’s Addison’s to lose. This doesn’t mean Osborn won’t play.

Injuries are inevitable and O’Connell used three wide receiver sets on 74 percent of plays last season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That number will be interesting to track this year after the Vikings signed tight end Josh Oliver from Baltimore in free agency. Oliver is an outstanding blocker and the Vikings want to improve a run game that finished tied for 27th in the NFL last season with the Rams.

That means the Vikings will more often use two tight ends and a running back in certain formations to create confusion about their intentions and also provide more assistance to the running game.

The Vikings’ consistent use of 11 personnel in 2022 — one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers — was a big reason Osborn had career highs in targets (90) and receptions (60). He had 650 yards receiving and five touchdowns, trailing the 655 yards and seven TDs he had in 2021.

The one thing the Vikings know Osborn isn’t going to do is pout. He has too much to lose financially by taking it personally that his team didn’t think he could assume Thielen’s role. Plus, Osborn isn’t new to having to prove himself.

He was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 draft by former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and plugged into the kick return role. He averaged 21.6 yards on 14 kick returns and 3.9 yards on seven punt returns as a rookie.

Osborn, who will turn 26 on June 10, wasn’t on the field for one offensive snap in nine games. That changed in 2021. Osborn did not return a kick and only four punts, but an impressive training camp earned him a role on 68 percent of the offensive snaps.

That figure increased to 75 percent last season as he played in all 17 games for the second year in a row. Osborn will be a free agent after this season and has plenty of motivation to prove he’s capable of taking on an expanded role. Whether that be in Minnesota, or elsewhere.

Asked if he had a chip on his shoulder, Osborn acknowledged, “huge, huge.”

“It’s not just the draft,” he said. “It’s the NFL. They’re always looking to replace you. To me, it’s about respect, man. I want to earn my respect. … I was a fifth-round pick. I was a two-star recruit. I came from the (Mid-American Conference). If they draft somebody, didn’t draft somebody, I’m trying to prove to myself. Not to everybody else. I want to prove myself right. I don’t care about any doubters, or haters. My standard is higher than any fan or any coach in this building, for myself.”

Osborn, who transferred to the University of Miami in 2019 after playing four seasons for the University of Buffalo in the MAC, has done an impressive job of proving himself and has become one of Cousins’ trusted targets.

He looks at this situation as just another chance for him to overcome the odds.

“That’s who I am, though, so adding a contract year, some big things going on around here, it’s even more exciting,” Osborn said. “That just fuels me that much more.”

Judd Zulgad is co-host of the Purple Daily Podcast and Mackey & Judd podcast at www.skornorth.com