The NFL accelerator program—an annual summit to help minority coaches gain connections and increase their chances at advancement in the league—is returning after the league ended the program last year. And upon its return next week, there will be a Detroit Lions assistant coach who will participate.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Lions passing game coordinator Mike Kafka will attend the program this upcoming Monday and Tuesday in Orlando, Florida.
Kafka was hired by the Lions this offseason to
help replace the void left by the firing of offensive coordinator John Morton. While Drew Petzing earned the offensive coordinator job, Kafka will still be an integral part of Detroit’s offense.
Kafka, whose mother is Puerto Rican—therefore qualifying him as a minority under the league’s Rooney Rule—nearly found himself in an NFL job after the 2024 season. After a couple of strong years as the Giants offensive coordinator, Kafka was a finalist for the Saints head coach job before they eventually landed on Kellen Moore.
This isn’t the first time Kafka has participated in the accelerator program. He did so in 2024, as well, and spoke about the value of the program.
“Just networking and meeting a lot of the coaches that are here,” Kafka told NFL Network. “Then we’re breaking down into workshops and talking about media and things that come up in these interviews. So, it’s all great information–it’s all great ways to continue to improve as a coach.”
This year, the program has both downsized the number of participants and expanded its reach beyond minority candidates. They have also narrowed their focus not to up-and-coming coaches and executives, but candidates they view as more ready to take the jump now.
That could mean Kafka sees more head coaching opportunities in 2027 if the Lions offense succeeds this upcoming year. Although it’s worth noting that the Lions would not receive draft pick compensation if Kafka becomes a head coach next year. In order to qualify for Rooney Rule compensation of two third-round picks, the promoted coach needs to have been with the previous team for at least two seasons.
Fowler only provides a partial list of the expected 34 coaches and executives who will be in attendance to this year’s accelerator program, so it’s possible other Lions employees will be there.
