The Minnesota Vikings have elevated Rick Spielman to general manager, the first move in what will be a critical offseason toward reviving a team that matched the worst record in franchise history.
Spielman was promoted Tuesday from his previous role as vice president of player personnel, which he held since his hire in May 2006. He now will have final authority over all roster-related decisions, in addition to his previous duties running the scouting departments and the draft, instead of the by-committee approach to player transactions with coach Leslie Frazier.
"We thought long and hard through the season, and we feel this is the right way," Vikings president Mark Wilf said. "Knowing Rick and his body of work, we're confident he's the man to do it."
The power to hire and fire head coaches will stay with the lead owners, the Wilf brothers. Mark Wilf said the organization has "full confidence" in Frazier, who will have the authority over his coaching staff, with input from Spielman.
"Leslie Frazier is our leader," Spielman said. "He's going to lead that team on Sundays. But it's our responsibility to make sure he has the players to do that."
The Vikings haven't had a true GM since Mike Lynn in the 1980s, operating instead with the coach essentially having final authority over the roster. The changes in hierarchy are a stark change after consecutive last-place finishes with a 9-23 combined record over the last two seasons.
"I know in this position that we'll be held accountable for all football matters going forward," Spielman said during a news conference Tuesday. "With this structure in place, it will give us more consistency in how we make decisions going forward. 3-13 isn't good enough."
Spielman previously was in charge of the scouting departments and the draft, while Frazier ran the team and vice president for football administration Rob Brzezinski negotiated contracts and managed the salary cap.
Both Spielman and Frazier noted the close working relationship that has developed. Frazier praised the move, saying it only "enhances" his role.
"Probably the biggest thing for us is that we have a general manager now who will be in charge of football operations," Frazier said. "That is a good thing for our football team. We have a person that has final say on so many areas on our football team, and that's probably the most important thing, just knowing that fact going forward."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
