Detroit Lions passing game coordinator Mike Kafka has been selected to the 34-person pool in the NFL’s revamped accelerator program.
The program, created in 2022 with the intention of increasing diversity in leadership roles, was paused in 2025. But, the NFL accelerator program is set to return at the NFL owners meetings Monday and Tuesday in Orlando, Fla.
“The May accelerator is intended to focus on advancing talent from underrepresented groups, while remaining open to qualified senior-level candidates of all backgrounds,” the NFL wrote in a March memo addressed to all 32 teams.
It includes non-minority candidates. The program shifted focus from high-potential candidates to senior-level executives and coaches more aligned with head coach and general manager readiness.
Sixteen coaches are listed to attend, including Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. That number is down from the group of 40 coaches selected three years ago.
Eighteen executives are also slated to participate.
Kafka joins the Lions after serving as the New York Giants‘ offensive coordinator. Prior to his time in New York, Kafka worked as the Kansas City Chiefs‘ quarterbacks coach where he mentored three-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller Patrick Mahomes.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions passing game coordinator chosen for NFL accelerator program