The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

What does an NFL GM actually do?

Jun 25, 2026 · 55m

Summary

Robert Mays interviews former Eagles executive Jake Rosenberg about the evolving role of NFL general managers. They discuss why teams should prioritize executive synthesis and organizational design over pure scouting skills. Rosenberg critiques flawed hiring processes, emphasizing the need for structured interviews and clear ownership-GM dynamics to build successful football operations.

Topics discussed

Sponsors: Clio and Pura Calm Intro: Vikings GM search and guest Jake Rosenberg Jake Rosenberg's background with the Eagles Defining the modern GM role vs. the 'super scout' myth Ownership dynamics and the Eagles' cap strategy Organizational structure and the GM's actual duties Hiring pitfalls: Former players and search firms Sponsors: Quince and McDonald's The flawed NFL interview and hiring process Sponsors: Pura, Rinse, and Schwab Key hires: Scouting directors and contract negotiators Proactive planning and coaching staff evaluations Outro and final sponsors
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