John Spytek has carved a remarkable path in the National Football League (NFL), transitioning from an intern with the Detroit Lions to the director of player personnel for the Las Vegas Raiders. His most strategic moves have put him in the hetteras that have defined his career. By fostering and working through important relationships, his has proven to be the most salient voice in the world of football management.
Spytek started his NFL career as an intern for the Detroit Lions. At the same time, there, he learned invaluable lessons about how to properly run a football organization. He was thrown into the fire of figuring out how to coordinate practice schedules and logistics to get teams to the airport. This formative experience would shape his later development of and leadership within these various league roles.
In 2010, Spytek made a great leap forward, taking a position with the Denver Broncos as a southwest area scout. Within one season, he’d gone on to earn himself a rapid promotion to national scout. That was largely thanks to his eye for talent and great evaluative skills. For the next two years, he developed his scouting skills, cementing his place within the organization.
Spytek’s career took a major leap forward when he became director of college scouting for the Cleveland Browns. During this period, he partnered very closely with former general manager Tom Heckert. He presided over this period for three seasons, but his time was cut short in 2013 with the firing of Heckert. Spytek was bummed, but he didn’t wallow in self-pity. His time with the Browns cemented his acumen for player evaluation and team building.
Before his time in Cleveland, Spytek worked for five years in Philadelphia with the Eagles from 2005-2009. He worked his way up from an intern to a scouting assistant, and then to the role of college/pro scout. During his years in Philadelphia, he developed an impressive eye for talent. He learned as well the value of understanding the complicated layers of team dynamics.
When the 2024 NFL season opened, Spytek was with the Las Vegas Raiders, serving as their director of player personnel. His defensive ability was pivotal in keeping the other team out. He’s largely influenced their drafts, leading them to gems like wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the third round and running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round. His winning draft philosophies are what have gone along with his known late-round talent, one of his trademarks, over the years.
Spytek has established strong relationships deep within the Raiders organization. He has especially tight bonds with general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels. These collaborative partnerships are key, as they come together and align efforts to develop the most competitive team. Spytek understands the importance of a head coach-general manager alliance. He is committed to advancing collaboration to further develop their capacity building strengths.
Moreover, Spytek is connected in a way we don’t often see in sports teams’ ownerships to minority owner Tom Brady. Their journeys eventually intersected at the University of Michigan. Their connection as both friends and values-based leaders was reestablished when they reunited in Tampa Bay during the unique 2020 season. This bond only goes to elevate Spytek’s status in the Raiders franchise even further.
As he considers the future, Spytek is understandably excited at the prospect of what’s ahead for the Raiders. He firmly believes that the team possesses the right infrastructure to succeed and compete against formidable opponents in their division.
“We’re not going to back down from any of the great teams in our division,” – John Spytek
“We’re going to build the best team we can and be out there on Sundays competing our asses off,” – John Spytek
Spytek’s journey is not without its challenges. He told all kinds of stories about his challenging path inside and outside of football. To help pay for living expenses, Jonathan bartended three nights a week in nearby Ann Arbor to continue pursuing his passion for the sport.
“I bartended at a bar in Ann Arbor for three nights a week just to make ends meet,” – John Spytek
His character and commitment to the game have made an impression on those who have seen or worked him up close. Craig Vandermause, who worked on the project with Spytek, mentioned his demand for perfection when it came to the game.
“He would eat, sleep and drink football, man,” – Craig Vandermause
Former Denver Broncos quarterback and Hall of Famer John Elway noticed Spytek’s potential early in his career.
“You knew he was going to get an opportunity to be a GM,” – John Elway
Today, as he drives the Raiders’ big-picture strategy and execution, Spytek is still committed to creating that championship-caliber team. It’s his patience and strategic thinking you see most in how he evaluates talent and works with his peers—especially with his peers.
“I have patience to get it right and I think we got the people,” – Mark Davis
Spytek’s leap from intern to master planner illustrates a commitment to service and perseverance. He is a master of creating enduring bonds across the entire NFL. That ability is the key to his career run thus far, and the linchpin to the Raiders success in the coming seasons.
“Knowing that the relationship between the head coach and general manager is the most significant and impacting relationship, John and I have started off with a dedication to really collaborate in every way that we can bring out the best in both of us,” – Pete Carroll
As he helps to influence player personnel decisions for the Raiders, Spytek’s optimism is infectious. He imagines a day, not only where the team competes but thrives on Sundays.
“I think [the Raiders] are in good hands,” – John Elway
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