RICK SPIELMAN joins the New York Jets as the team's senior football advisor with over 30 years of NFL experience, including 10 seasons as the general manager for the Minnesota Vikings. In his role, Spielman assists general manager Darren Mougey with the football operations department, while using his extensive experience to help evaluate college prospects and pro players to assist in roster construction.

Spielman was hired as the general manager of the Vikings in 2012, following six seasons as their vice president of player personnel. He was named NFL Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly in 2017 after leading the team to a 13-3 record, tied for the best in the League, an NFC North title, and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. Spielman concluded his time in Minnesota following the 2021 season as one of the longest-tenured general managers in the NFL, having won 87 games across 10 seasons, the 11th most in the League, and reaching the playoffs four times.

In Minnesota (2007-21), Spielman drafted 16 Pro Bowl players, highlighted by WR Justin Jefferson, who became just the second rookie wideout in the NFL to earn second-team AP All-Pro honors, and RB Adrian Peterson, who became the 18th running back in League history, and the most recent running back, to win MVP honors (2012). He drafted 18 players who went on to earn All-Rookie honors.

Prior to Minnesota, Spielman spent 16 seasons in front office roles with Detroit, Chicago, and Miami. He entered the League as a college scout with Detroit where he spent seven seasons (1990-96), adding pro scouting responsibilities for his final two years (1995-96). He won two NFC Central titles with Detroit, clinching the playoffs in four of his seven seasons with the team. He was hired by Chicago as their Director of Pro Personnel (1997-99), before joining Miami in 2000 as vice president of player personnel. In 2002, Spielman was promoted to senior vice president-football operations/player personnel and eventually to general manager in 2004. Following two seasons as Miami's general manager, he transitioned to ESPN, where he served as an NFL analyst.

A former linebacker, Spielman was part of Southern Illinois' 1983 NCAA Division I-AA national championship team. He played four seasons for Southern Illinois (1983-86) and received first-team all-conference honors following his junior campaign. He was invited to training camp with the San Diego Chargers (1987) and Detroit Lions (1988).

Spielman earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois and a master's from Ohio State. His younger brother, Chris, is currently a member of Detroit's front office, where he serves as a special assistant to the president/CEO & chairperson, following an 11-year playing career in the NFL in which he received Pro Bowl honors four times.

Spielman and his wife, Michele, have six adopted children, and have been active with children's charities throughout their marriage.