CFZ Who are the best NFL GMs and What Makes Them Effective?

[Bobhaze]

If you want to identify the best players in the NFL, just watch the games. If you want to ID the best GM talent, look at the GM‘s playoff record.

Most Cowboys fans by now are well aware that our 80 year old GM and his 58 year old sidekick son are not the best in recent front office talent. Why? Their playoff record the last three decades speaks for itself. We have won 5 wild card games in that period. The Cowboys are 1 of only 3 NFC teams to not play in a conference championship game- the lions, commanders and the ‘Boys.

So who are the current best NFL GMs in the game?

• Brett Veach, Chiefs- aged 45. Been GM in KC since 2017. Veach’s chiefs have won 9 playoff games in 5 seasons (and may win more this year) including 2 AFC championships and one SB win. Veach aggressively traded up in 2017 draft to acquire Patrick Mahomes and has also been aggressive in trades and free agency each season.
• Les Snead- Rams- age 51. Been GM is LA since 2012. Snead has 7 playoff wins in 10 years, including a SB win and 2 NFC championships with two different QBs. He is the most aggressive GM in the league with trades and FA.
• Jason Licht- Bucs-age 51. Been GM in Tampa since 2014. Won 5 playoff games in 3 years. Has been good in drafts but especially good in free agent signings with Tom Brady obviously the most prominent.
• Howie Roseman- Eagles- aged 47. Been in Filly since 2010. Has won 5 playoff games in 12 seasons including an NFC championship and SB win in 2017. Very aggressive in FA and trades.
• John Lynch- 49ers- age 51. Been GM in SF since 2017. Won 6 playoff games including 1 NFC championship and could win another if they beat Filly today. Have won those 6 playoff games with 3 different QBs.

So what do all these effective GMs have in common and what do they do that makes them effective?

• They are accountable to win playoff games or they’re gone. None of these guys get to keep their jobs if they don’t win playoff games. They answer to the owner and his goals.
• They have all worked in multiple NFL organizations- Unlike JJ and SJ, the best GMs have all worked for multiple NFL teams and have learned some best practices.
• They are relatively young men- the five best GMs avg age is 49.
• Because they are young, they have a modern approach to the cap and free agency. While Stephen Jones drones on about keeping the cap limits in mind, the 5 best GMs are saying “Hold my beer“ and winning playoff games in gobs.
• They cut, trade or release veteran players a year early, not when it’s obvious they’re done and are willing to make bold moves. Look at some examples of this:
  • Chiefs GM Brett Veach traded Tyreek Hill who was an All Pro WR before his big contract payday hit. He acquired multiple draft picks In return. Cut Pro Bowl S Tyron Matthieu before others saw his decline. The chiefs D is actually better this year.
  • Rams GM Les Snead traded his #1 QB Jared Goff who had already taken them to a SB in exchange for a veteran QB in Matt Stafford who helped them win a SB in 2021.
  • Niners GM John Lynch drafted QB Trey Lance in first round in 2021, despite having Jimmy Garropolo who had already taken them to a SB. THEN he drafted Brock Purdy in 7th round last year. (You should draft QBs often)

Bottom Line: The best GMs are young, accountable for winning playoff games or they’re fired, have worked in multiple NFL organizations, and are aggressive with the cap, free agency and trades.

I wish Jerry would be open to hiring a young assistant GM who could be a front office whisperer. Because if JJ keeps doing it “his way” we all know how that ends every year.

 

[maryquality]

Stephen is 58??? He looks almost as old as his Dad!! My goodness!!

 

[Bobhaze]

Stephen is 58??? He looks almost as old as his Dad!! My goodness!!

And Stephen’s conservative and cheap approach in the off-season is completely behind the times. These young gun GMs winning SBs and conference championships are aggressive…and accountable.

 

[maryquality]

And Stephen’s conservative and cheap approach in the off-season is completely behind the times. These young gun GMs winning SBs and conference championships are aggressive…and accountable.

Oh, I agree!! The sad thing is I believe Jerry is way smarter than Stephen. That's pretty frightening!!

 

[bewp7]

yes smart and have accountiblity like u say

or they draft a franchise qb like mike brown did in cincinatti

i bet a lot of people do not know bengals also have a owner who is also gm and worse then jerry but he got the qb so

 

[Creeper]

The best GMs are willing to acquire talent by draft, trade and free agency. They do not limit themselves to just one option. They also don't overcommit CAP to their players. They are always trying to get better.

One thing about Jimmy Johnson is he was never satisfied with the roster. "we like out guys" is another way of saying we are satisfied with the roster we have.

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

Will McClay is as good as anybody

 

[jazzcat22]

Drafting a top QB such as Pat Mahomes can make anyone look brilliant.

Did anyone think Mike Brown was all that great for years? Then he brings in Zach Taylor, and drafts Joe Burrow. So is Mike considered a top GM now, if he is still the GM in at least title.


Who I thought was an GREAT GM, was Ozzie Newsome for the Ravens. Wish we had him. or someone like him here. Will McClay has done a decent job, but too bad he does not have full control or authority over all the player personnel moves. To see what he can really do.

 

[Bobhaze]

yes smart and have accountiblity like u say

or they draft a franchise qb like mike brown did in cincinatti

i bet a lot of people do not know bengals also have a owner who is also gm and worse then jerry but he got the qb so

Here’s where owner/GM Mike Brown is different than Jerry- he hires his HC and let’s them have full authority in the locker room and lets the coach be the face of the organization to the press. When was the last time you saw Mike Brown on Stephen A Smith’s show?

 

[CouchCoach]

Being a NFL GM is a full time job, not part-time like the one for the Cowboys treats it. If he didn't get to put his ugly face on camera or run his mouth, he wouldn't even do the minimum.

NFL GM's turn the team over to the HC they hire and let him sink or swim running his own team. This also puts them at risk but they understand the inner worklings of a locker room and team cohesiveness. And they know their place is not in the locker room except on special occasions.

However, here is the undeniable and inescapable truth, only two GM's own their own team and we happen to be fans of one of those. Changes are not coming.

 

[jazzcat22]

Here’s where owner/GM Mike Brown is different than Jerry- he hires his HC and let’s them have full authority in the locker room and lets the coach be the face of the organization to the press. When was the last time you saw Mike Brown on Stephen A Smith’s show?

Mike Brown is smart enough to know, not to go on a crap show such as SAS.

Mike may not even have his own weekly local radio show.

 

[Bobhaze]

Drafting a top QB such as Pat Mahomes can make anyone look brilliant.

Did anyone think Mike Brown was all that great for years? Then he brings in Zach Taylor, and drafts Joe Burrow. So is Mike considered a top GM now, if he is still the GM in at least title.


Who I thought was an GREAT GM, was Ozzie Newsome for the Ravens. Wish we had him. or someone like him here. Will McClay has done a decent job, but too bad he does not have full control or authority over all the player personnel moves. To see what he can really do.

Sure Mahomes is great. But very few NFL organizations saw that when he was drafted. Chiefs GM Brett Veach aggressively traded up in the 2017 draft to get Mahomes. That’s a move this FO does not make.

 

[Bobhaze]

The best GMs are willing to acquire talent by draft, trade and free agency. They do not limit themselves to just one option. They also don't overcommit CAP to their players. They are always trying to get better.

One thing about Jimmy Johnson is he was never satisfied with the roster. "we like out guys" is another way of saying we are satisfied with the roster we have.

100% agree. This FO is way too enamored with its own players instead of looking at them with a steely eyed view that we can always get better.

Will McClay is as good as anybody

Agree 100%. But he does not have enough authority. The Cowboys should name him GM or at least let him have as much say as SJ.

 

[Captain-Crash]

I'd say Jerry is one of the best in the NFL. He helps me hate everything I use to like about the Cowboys. How bout dem Cowboys. If not for him I'd just be another boring Cowboy lover.

 

[rags747]

Les Snead is Toast. Rams will be in the doghouse for years Now.

 

[CouchCoach]

Les Snead is Toast. Rams will be in the doghouse for years Now.

Don't you think he knew that going in? He had his orders from the new owner, get me a ring now. He also had the backing of his owner because they included him in the Stafford deal.

No GM is going all in without apprising his owner of the downside.

 

[Bobhaze]

Les Snead is Toast. Rams will be in the doghouse for years Now.

As they polish their Lombardi.

 

[Diehardblues]

I’d have to go with Lynch in SF. If they had an Elite QB could be dominating the league.

 

[Bobhaze]

I’d have to go with Lynch in SF. If they had an Elite QB could be dominating the league.

And proving you don’t have to have an “elite“ QB to compete for a championship.

 

[Diehardblues]

And proving you don’t have to have an “elite“ QB to compete for a championship.

Yes, but it’s still left to be determined if it’s enough to win a championship.

They have built the best overall and talented team without an Elite QB.