What Do NFL General Managers Do?

Get an inside look at the job responsibilities of an NFL general manager and find out what it takes to be a GM in the National Football League.

Introduction

In the National Football League (NFL), the general manager (GM) of a team typically controls player personnel decisions. Along with the head coach, the GM works within the front office to make decisions about which players to draft, sign, or trade for.

The GM might also be responsible for hiring and firing personnel within the front office, as well as coaching staff. They work with scouts to identify and evaluate talent, and they collaborate with team owners on budgeting and long-term team planning. In some cases, the GM may also have a hand in negotiating player contracts.

The general manager position is one of the most important in any NFL franchise, and they are often some of the most well-paid people in the organization. A successful GM can help build a winning team that brings in revenue and increases the value of the franchise.

What Do NFL General Managers Do?

An NFL general manager is responsible for the overall operations of their team. They are in charge of putting together the team’s roster, scouting and drafting players, and managing the team’s salary cap. They also negotiate contracts with players and coaches, and hire and fire staff. In short, NFL general managers have a lot of responsibility!

Player Personnel

Broadly speaking, NFL general managers have two primary responsibilities: player personnel and contract management.

In terms of player personnel, GMs are responsible for managing the scouting and draft process for their team. This includes overseeing scouts, evaluating college prospects, and making decisions on which players to draft and sign. NFL GMs also play a role in player development, working with coaches to help young players reach their potential and veteran players remain productive.

When it comes to contracts, NFL GMs negotiate and manage all player contracts. This includes everything from rookie contracts to veteran extensions to free agent signings. GMs must work within the salary cap to ensure that their team is compliant while also trying to put together the most competitive roster possible.

NFL general managers also have a hand in other areas of team management, such as coaching staff hires/firings, facility upgrades, and marketing initiatives. But when it comes down to it, player personnel and contract management are the two main areas of focus for most NFL GMs.

Front Office Management

The majority of an NFL GM’s time is spent managing the front office and overseeing the team’s scouting department. The GM is responsible for hiring and firing scouts, as well as setting the department’s budget. He also reviews all scouting reports and decides which players the team should target in the draft and free agency. In some cases, the GM may even get involved in negotiating player contracts.

Salary Cap Management

As the title implies, NFL general managers are responsible for the management of their team’s salary cap. In addition to this primary responsibility, they are also in charge of player personnel decisions, contract negotiations, and managing the scouting department.

Since the salary cap is such an important part of a team’s success, it is vital that GMs have a strong understanding of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and how to work within its provisions. This includes knowing how to utilize various types of contracts (e.g. fully guaranteed, split-guaranteed, etc.) to maximize a team’s financial flexibility. It also requires an understanding of how to structure deals in order to minimize a team’s long-term financial obligations.

In addition to salary cap management, GMs also have to make personnel decisions regarding their team’s roster. This includes deciding which players to draft, trade for, or sign as free agents. It also involves making tough decisions about when to release players who are no longer contributing at a high level.

Finally, GMs are also responsible for managing their team’s scouting department. This includes setting the department’s budget, hiring scouts, and making decisions about which players to target in the draft and free agency.

Contract Negotiations

In charge of the business side of the team, the General Manager (GM) is responsible for negotiating and signing player contracts, as well as handling all league-mandated player personnel matters.

The GM also works closely with the Head Coach on game-planning and roster decisions, and is responsible for ensuring that the team’s salary cap remains in compliance with league rules.

Conclusion

To sum it up, NFL general managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their team. They are in charge of hiring the coaching staff, scouting players, and managing the salary cap. In some cases, they may also be responsible for making trades and signing free agents.