Commanders land 2 staff members in NFL’s accelerator program

· Yahoo Sports

The Washington Commanders have two members of the organization participating in this year's NFL accelerator program. The accelerator program began in 2022 with the objective of increasing diversity in leadership positions, specifically general manager and head coaching positions, by connecting potential top candidates with owners and executives from all 32 franchises.

Assistant general manager Lance Newmark and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will be present at the NFL owners meetings this week in Orlando, along with 32 others from around the league.

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The NFL tweaked the program in 2026. The league skipped the accelerator program in 2025, opting for a more streamlined approach that includes a smaller group. The new approach still focuses on underrepresented candidates, but is now open to senior-level candidates from all backgrounds.

As a part of the program, candidates receive networking opportunities, interview training and more as a way to increase their chances of future promotions.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN provided a list of all 34 attendees.

Newmark is entering his third year as the Commanders' assistant GM. Before coming to Washington, Newmark spent 25 years in Detroit, working his way up from a player personnel assistant to the Lions' senior director of player personnel. Newmark got his NFL start as a staff assistant for the Chargers in 1996 under legendary former Washington GM Bobby Beathard.

Since arriving in Washington, Newmark has interviewed for at least one GM position, with the New York Jets in 2025, where he was considered a finalist.

Jones, 47, is a Maryland native who began his NFL coaching career in 2016 with the Miami Dolphins. Before his time in Miami, Jones worked at several colleges and high schools. After two years with the Dolphins, Jones spent two seasons as cornerbacks coach for the Cincinnati Bengals before landing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020 as the defensive backs coach. In 2021, Jones was named defensive coordinator at LSU. After head coach Ed Orgeron was fired, Jones returned to his previous role with the Vikings, where he spent the past four seasons.

Jones has interviewed for several defensive coordinator positions in recent years, including multiple during this winter's cycle. Head coach Dan Quinn interviewed at least nine candidates before choosing Jones. The Commanders fired former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. in January after two seasons.

Washington revamped the entire defense this offseason, signing several new starters in free agency and using its first-round pick on linebacker Sonny Styles.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders land staff members in NFL’s accelerator program

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