The NFL accelerator program—an annual summit to assist minority coaches acquire connections and improve their possibilities at development within the league—is returning after the league ended this system final yr. And upon its return subsequent week, there might be a Detroit Lions assistant coach who will take part.
Kafka was employed by the Lions this offseason to assist change the void left by the firing of offensive coordinator John Morton. Whereas Drew Petzing earned the offensive coordinator job, Kafka will nonetheless be an integral a part of Detroit’s offense.
Kafka, whose mom is Puerto Rican—due to this fact qualifying him as a minority underneath the league’s Rooney Rule—almost discovered himself in an NFL job after the 2024 season. After a few sturdy years because the Giants offensive coordinator, Kafka was a finalist for the Saints head coach job earlier than they finally landed on Kellen Moore.
“Simply networking and assembly lots of the coaches which can be right here,” Kafka informed NFL Community. “Then we’re breaking down into workshops and speaking about media and issues that come up in these interviews. So, it’s all nice information–it’s all nice methods to proceed to enhance as a coach.”
That would imply Kafka sees extra head teaching alternatives in 2027 if the Lions offense succeeds this upcoming yr. Though it’s price noting that the Lions wouldn’t obtain draft choose compensation if Kafka turns into a head coach subsequent yr. So as to qualify for Rooney Rule compensation of two third-round picks, the promoted coach must have been with the earlier staff for at the least two seasons.
Fowler solely supplies a partial listing of the anticipated 34 coaches and executives who might be in attendance at this yr’s accelerator program, so it’s potential different Lions staff might be there.
