Has Rick Spielman’s tenure with the Vikings been a success?

Since officially becoming the general manager of the Minnesota Vikings in 2012, how should Rick Spielman’s performance in the role be judged?

When Rick Spielman was promoted to be the new general manager of the Minnesota Vikings in 2012, it was a move that was made with the hope of turning around a team that was just coming off of a disappointing 3-13 season.

During his very first year as the team’s official general manager, the Vikings ended up with a 10-6 record and a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2009. So almost immediately, the organization’s decision to promote Spielman seemed like something that was going to turn out great.

However, Minnesota hit a speed bump in 2013 and finished the season with an underwhelming 5-10-1 record. Following their disappointing year, the Vikings fired head coach Leslie Frazier and Spielman had his first major decision to make for the organization.

After interviews with multiple candidates, Minnesota decided to hire Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to be the team’s new head coach. How well Zimmer would do would likely determine Spielman’s fate with the Vikings.

Fast forward to now and both men are still with the organization. But both are also entering a critical season in their tenures with Minnesota.

If the Vikings miss the playoffs for a second-straight year and the third time in four seasons, both Spielman and Zimmer could be looking for new jobs in 2020.

But where would Minnesota be today without Spielman as their general manager? Would guys like Adam Thielen, Danielle Hunter, and Stefon Diggs even be the players they have become if not for the Vikings and their general manager taking a chance on them?

Sure Spielman has made some bad draft picks (T.J. Clemmings, Willie Beavers, Laquon Treadwell) and some unimpressive moves in free agency (Alex Boone, Mike Remmers, Greg Jennings), but Minnesota wouldn’t be in the position to compete for a championship each season like they have been over the past few years without him.

Some will say the Vikings are able to remain competitive because of Zimmer and what he has been able to do during his tenure with the team. This is true, but Minnesota’s current head coach would not have been hired by the team if not for Spielman.

Looking back at Spielman’s entire tenure as the Vikings’ general manager, how should it be remembered up to this point?

Should his legacy with Minnesota only be about the mistakes he made? Or should Spielman be praised for the work he has put in to turn around a franchise that was at rock bottom when he was promoted?