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

[Streifenkarl]

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.

Really great post, as usual. Had the very same thoughts quite a few times. Thing is, Jerry is not in an age anymore where you change your routine.

So, without any disrespect, but now what?

 

[DallasEast]

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.

Great post. I would suggest Will McClay is that 'young assistant general manager' already.

However, I do not believe McClay's whispers do not have the needed impact. Plus, I do believe there is a perpetual subliminal split leadership distraction that the roster sees every day involving a highly visible general manager, answerable only to the owner (himself), and their head coach. None of those best general manager examples are as intrusive into their teams' collective identity, which works as an involuntary positive reinforcement for them and a negative for Dallas.

 

[FanofJerry]

Let Will McClay, Troy Aikman and Moose run things for a small time period post-Jerry and lets see how things turn out. If you dont like the results, just take the keys back.

 

[cowboyec]

The guy that probably would have won MVP if he didn’t hurt his shoulder isn’t elite? We all have a bias against the eagles, but let’s not be crazy.

your kidding right?
how the hell is jalen hurts elite?

 

[john van brocklin]

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.

You said it better than anyone else.
Great job!!!

 

[cowboyec]

The guy that probably would have won MVP if he didn’t hurt his shoulder isn’t elite? We all have a bias against the eagles, but let’s not be crazy.

the guy that has never beaten dak head to head.

 

[chasecooley5308]

your kidding right?
how the hell is jalen hurts elite?

he's not. He's a RB that can throw the football.

 

[tm1119]

your kidding right?
how the hell is jalen hurts elite?

Because he is a MVP candidate. How is that difficult to comprehend? 4,460 total yards, 35 TD’s to 6 turn overs in 15 games. His team was the #1 seed and on the verge of going to the SB. No good? If you want to argue that Hurts might regress next year, I guess I’d entertain it. But to say that Hurts wasn’t elite this year is just dumb.

@chasecooley5308 That is the kind of stuff why no one takes Cowboys fans seriously and we are a laughing stock nation wide.

 

[Bobhaze]

If I was a Rams fan I wouldn't be happy with
1 Super Bowl
3-5 years of complete famine in exchange

That Stafford-Goff trade was a monstrosity.

Rams have nothing to look forward to. No cap space. No good young players. No draft picks.

The rams fans have 7 playoff wins in 5 years. 2 NFC championships and a Lombardi trophy. We have 5 Wild card wins in 27 years. Rams have nothing to look forward to? They’ve gone to two SBs in 5 years with two different QBs and have the most aggressive GM in football. Not sure their future is that bleak.

Think their fans would trade that Lombardi for our 80 yr old GM and son with their “staying under the cap” mantra while other teams are winning SBs?

Man the jaguars have more playoff wins than we do in the last 27 seasons.

 

[Starforever]

Forbes vote for Jerry Jones.

 

[tm1119]

The rams fans have 7 playoff wins in 5 years. 2 NFC championships and a Lombardi trophy. We have 5 Wild card wins in 27 years. Rams have nothing to look forward to? They’ve gone to two SBs in 5 years with two different QBs and have the most aggressive GM in football. Not sure their future is that bleak.

Think their fans would trade that Lombardi for our 80 yr old GM and son with their “staying under the cap” mantra while other teams are winning SBs?

Man the jaguars have more playoff wins than we do in the last 27 seasons.

Cowboys fans criticizing the Rams process is like a homeless guy on the street pointing and laughing at people driving by in their nice cars.

 

[Bobhaze]

Total bs, people are just jealous of nepotism.

There are mountains of research that show nepotism is destructive in larger organizations. It’s why 29 of 31 NFL owners hire someone outside the family as GM.

 

[T-RO]

The rams fans have 7 playoff wins in 5 years. 2 NFC championships and a Lombardi trophy. We have 5 Wild card wins in 27 years. Rams have nothing to look forward to? They’ve gone to two SBs in 5 years with two different QBs and have the most aggressive GM in football. Not sure their future is that bleak.

Think their fans would trade that Lombardi for our 80 yr old GM and son with their “staying under the cap” mantra while other teams are winning SBs?

Man the jaguars have more playoff wins than we do in the last 27 seasons.

What do the Jags or our 80 year-old failed GM have to do with my point about the Rams?

The Rams harvested their future to feed the immediate moment. They paid heavily this season and will be hopelessly dismal for the next few years. Not a fan of their GM.

I sure agree with you on Veach and Roseman.

 

[cowboyec]

Because he is a MVP candidate. How is that difficult to comprehend? 4,460 total yards, 35 TD’s to 6 turn overs in 15 games. His team was the #1 seed and on the verge of going to the SB. No good? If you want to argue that Hurts might regress next year, I guess I’d entertain it. But to say that Hurts wasn’t elite this year is just dumb.

@chasecooley5308 That is the kind of stuff why no one takes Cowboys fans seriously and we are a laughing stock nation wide.

he's not elite.
he just isn't.
and i'm not gonna play pretend just because we lost.

 

[eromeopolk]

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.

They are not Jerry Dumbo GM Jones or related to him in any way.

The best GM all time was Tex Schramm.

 

[Birch_Wood]

The rams fans have 7 playoff wins in 5 years. 2 NFC championships and a Lombardi trophy. We have 5 Wild card wins in 27 years. Rams have nothing to look forward to? They’ve gone to two SBs in 5 years with two different QBs and have the most aggressive GM in football. Not sure their future is that bleak.

Think their fans would trade that Lombardi for our 80 yr old GM and son with their “staying under the cap” mantra while other teams are winning SBs?

Man the jaguars have more playoff wins than we do in the last 27 seasons.

When you put it that way, it is sobering.