The Bucs’ long run of success has finally prompted a brain drain, as the Las Vegas Raiders have hired Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek to be their new general manager. Spytek had been with the Bucs since 2016.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on X.
A new leader in Las Vegas: Raiders are finalizing a deal to hire Buccaneers assistant GM John Spytek as their new general manager, per sources. pic.twitter.com/hMkU9eANbJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2025
Spytek had seen interest by multiple teams including the Tennessee Titans, but former Bucs quarterback and current Raiders minority owner Tom Brady were the ones to lure Spytek away. Spytek and Brady each went to Michigan and were teammates on the Wolverines for the 1999 season as Spytek was just beginning his career as a freshman while Brady was a redshirt senior and starting quarterback.
That relationship continued when Brady came to the Bucs in 2020, winning Super Bowl LV and breaking several records in three seasons from 2020 to 2022. Brady didn’t stay too far away from the game following his retirement. The 2024 season is his first a broadcaster for FOX and he’s been able to reunite with former Bucs front office members and teammates on the sidelines prior to kickoff through calling a couple of their games in Tampa this season.
John Spytek Has Work Cut Out For Him
Bucs GM Jason Licht and assistant GM John Spytek – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
As with most teams searching for a new general manager, and a new head coach as the Raiders are, Las Vegas is going to need a lot of work to return to their former glory. John Spytek will need to lead the charge on drafting and developing young talent for a team that lacks a true starting quarterback, top wide receiver, running back as well as several pieces on defense.
This is a result of poor drafting from Las Vegas over an extended period of time. Just four of their Day 1 and Day 2 picks from 2018 to 2022 are still with the team. This is Spytek’s forte as he comes from the player personnel side of the front office. He has been instrumental in the Bucs’ drafting, leading the charge on drafts that litter Tampa Bay’s current roster that has made the playoffs in five consecutive seasons.
Spytek helped oversee the drafting of notable players Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Bucky Irving and Antoine Winfield Jr. along with several others who make line the Bucs’ roster.
The Bucs have had some really spectacular draft classes as of late thanks in part to Spytek and it looks like they’ve hit on another stellar group with the likes of center Graham Barton, wide receiver Jalen McMillan and running back Bucky Irving all make quick impacts. Over the years Spytek has helped out in instances such as trading for outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, signing outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and bringing on quarterback Baker Mayfield in free agency.
Bucs Had Several Coaches/Executives Interviewed By Other Teams
John Spytek is the first of the Bucs’ leadership to land an external promotion this season and the second in the last 12 months. Last year Tampa Bay lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales after he became the new head coach for the Carolina Panthers. While Spytek is now moving to take over the Raiders’ roster, Bucs general manager Jason Licht will retain another assistant general manager in Mike Greenberg, who was interviewed by the New York Jets for their open general manager position as well before deciding on Washington assistant general manager Lance Newmark instead.
In addition to front office executives, Tampa Bay was in danger of losing some of their coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars open head coaching role and was scheduled for a second interview on Wednesday before withdrawing his name from consideration and opting to stay in Tampa Bay with a pay raise. Coen led the Bucs to a Top 5 finish in almost any measurable statistic possible.
Having Spytek depart is be a considerable blow to the Bucs organization based on his ability to consistently find talent. But that’s what happens when one continues to field a successful team. Thankfully, general manager Jason Licht has a deep and talented front office roster that includes directors of player personnel Rob McCartney and Mike Biehl, in addition to director of pro scouting Shane Scannell and senior personnel executive Byron Kiefer.
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds has a recent Pewter Pulse video, which you can find on our PewterReportTV YouTube channel, that detailed the chance that the Bucs front office might lose either Spytek or Greenberg – or both – for general manager opportunities.
