Being an NFL GM isn’t for everyone. It’s one of the most scrutinized roles in sports. With every draft pick, trade, or free agent signing, GMs walk the tightrope of public opinion while trying to build a championship team. Today’s top general managers thrive under this pressure, making calculated decisions to position their teams for success.
Let’s look at the best GMs in the NFL right now, leaders who set the standard for talent acquisition, roster construction, and long-term vision.
Brad Holmes has rebuilt the Lions into a legitimate contender. Since taking over as GM in 2021, Holmes has nailed nearly every draft, adding foundational players like Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch.
Holmes’ decision to trade Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff initially raised eyebrows, but it has become a massive win. Goff has thrived in Detroit, and Holmes’ gamble on head coach Dan Campbell has paid off, giving the Lions a clear identity.
No GM in recent memory has drafted as successfully as Holmes, and Detroit’s resurgence proves it.
Gutekunst joined the Packers as a scout in 1999 and became GM in 2018. Navigating the Rodgers era and preparing for the team’s next chapter wasn’t easy, but Gutekunst succeeded. Even with the NFL’s youngest roster in 2023, the Packers reached the playoffs and nearly upset the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
His ability to draft and develop talent while maintaining Green Bay’s competitive edge makes Gutekunst one of the league’s best.
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When Eric DeCosta took over for legendary GM Ozzie Newsome in 2019, the Ravens didn’t miss a beat. DeCosta has continued Baltimore’s tradition of fielding tough, defensively dominant teams while injecting more explosiveness into their offense.
Under DeCosta’s leadership, the Ravens have made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons. He’s maintained Baltimore’s consistent identity while modernizing the roster—a delicate balance that few GMs manage so well. Whether it’s through the draft, trades, or free agency, DeCosta ensures the Ravens remain a perennial contender.
While head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes get credit for the Chiefs’ success, GM Brett Veach plays an equally vital role in the team’s dominance.
Veach was instrumental in orchestrating the draft-day trade that brought Mahomes to Kansas City, forever altering the franchise’s future. Since then, he’s consistently surrounded Mahomes with the right talent, making the Chiefs one of the NFL’s most complete teams. In a league where roster management is critical, Veach excels, balancing stars with key role players to keep Kansas City on top.
Howie Roseman is the blueprint for a resilient, innovative NFL general manager. After joining the Eagles in 2000 as an unpaid intern, Roseman climbed to the top and became the Eagles GM in 2010. His creativity with trades and mastery of the salary cap have made him one of the most respected executives in the league.
Roseman helped deliver the Eagles their first Super Bowl in franchise history during the 2017 season. And he came close to repeating that feat in 2022, narrowly missing a second title in six years. Few GMs can match his longevity and ability to adapt, especially in a demanding city like Philadelphia.
The NFL’s top GMs share key traits: vision, adaptability, and the ability to make tough calls. Howie Roseman’s ingenuity, Brett Veach’s roster-building strength, Eric DeCosta’s consistency, Brian Gutekunst’s quarterback magic, and Brad Holmes’ draft mastery set them apart.
In a league where every decision counts, these leaders have positioned their franchises for success now and in the future.
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