Tag: Lance Newmark

New York Jets can offer Aaron Glenn something the Saints just can’t match

New York Jets can offer Aaron Glenn something the Saints just can’t match: the opportunity to work with his own general manager

Aaron Glenn is meeting with the New York Jets on Tuesday to interview for their open head coaching job, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Jets’ goal is to not let him leave the building. It says enough that Glenn met with the Jets before flying in for a sit-down with the New Orleans Saints later this week. That the Jets are this determined to seal the deal suggests it could get done quickly, and the Saints could miss out on their top target without ever getting another chance to speak with him.

And the Jets have something they can offer Glenn that the Saints just can’t match: the opportunity to work with his own general manager, not an already-installed made man like Mickey Loomis. NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark is already in New York visiting with the Jets to discuss their GM opening. Before he came to Washington, Newmark spent several years working with Glenn on the Detroit Lions.

So if Glenn wants to set up a real partnership with Newmark like Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have built in Detroit, that just might be the tipping point between choosing the Jets or the Saints.

Nothing has been signed yet, and these meetings may not go the way Glenn or Newmark hope. But for now all the Saints can do is wait and watch.

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Raiders to interview former longtime Lions exec for vacant GM job

Another architect of the Lions is getting an interview in Las Vegas.

The Lions have been one of the better teams in the NFL the past few years. So, naturally everyone wants a piece of those who built them. Along with their coordinators being hot commodities this cycle, now one of their former executives is getting some interest.

The Raiders will be holding a GM interview with one of their former execs on Monday, bringing in current Commanders’ assistant GM Lance Newmark.

Newmark spent 26 years in Detroit, leaving with the title of senior director of player personnel which he held for two seasons. Prior to that, Newmark served as the director of player personnel for five seasons (2016-21). He also held the roles of director of college scouting (2015-16), assistant director of college scouting (2008-14), national scout (2005-07) and area scout (1999-2004).

Commanders’ assistant GM interviews with Jets

A valuable member of Adam Peters’ front office interviewed with the New York Jets.

Could Lance Newmark be one-and-done with the Washington Commanders?

Newmark joined Washington’s front office last February — one month after Adam Peters was hired as general manager — as the Commanders’ assistant GM. Before Newmark joined Peters in Washington, he spent the previous 26 years with the Detroit Lions. Newmark got his NFL start with the Chargers under legendary former Washington general manager Bobby Beathard.

Peter Schrager of Fox Sports and the NFL Network reported on Saturday that the New York Jets were scheduled to interview Newmark.

The Jets later confirmed the interview, saying Newmark had a virtual interview with the team. New York has been transparent throughout their search for a new coach and GM.

It’s unclear where Newmark stands in New York’s search, but he could be a handpicked GM of current Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson if he lands a head coaching job.

In his first year with the Commanders, Peters has repeatedly praised Newmark. Peters, Newmark, and head coach Dan Quinn helped turn Washington from a 4-13 team into a 12-5 playoff competitor.

Commanders’ executive named a ‘potential future NFL GM’

Adam Peters’ top assistant could soon become a GM.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris knocked it out of the park last January when he convinced San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters to become his new general manager.

For years, Peters’ name was at the top of all future GM lists, but he remained loyal to the 49ers. Once hired, Peters went to work, hiring Dan Quinn and an impressive coaching staff. Harris spared no expense on Peters’ front office, allowing him to build a large, talented group of front-office executives.

One of those hires was Lance Newmark. Newmark had spent the previous 26 years with the Detroit Lions, most recently as their senior director of player personnel. Newmark played a key role in Detroit’s resurgence in recent years.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently revealed his list of potential future NFL general managers and included Newmark on his list.

Newmark is another guy who’s very highly thought of in the scouting community, and is drawing notice now with more and more wins attached to his reputation. Newmark spent 26 seasons in Detroit—he even overlapped with Barry Sanders there for a year—and was most recently a part of the Dan Campbell/Brad Holmes renaissance. Last year, Adam Peters plucked him to make him his No. 2, and the turnaround in Washington speaks for itself. I could see Johnson taking Newmark with him if he landed in a place like Jacksonville.

Peters doesn’t want to lose Newmark, but when you have success, these things result from that success. Peters and Quinn are also the types of leaders who encourage those who work for them to always pursue better opportunities for themselves.

Assistant GM Lance Newmark: Commanders ‘a great building to be in right now’

Another perspective on what it’s like to work with Dan Quinn.

Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark thinks Ashburn is a good place right now in the NFL.

“I’ll be honest with you; it’s been a really cool experience,” Newmark said Thursday during his time with the local media. “This is a great building to be in right now.”

With Daniel Snyder selling the team after much bad publicity in the last decade of his era and Josh Harris hiring Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as coach, the formation of the front office and coaching staff has clearly improved drastically.

“I feel like it’s a very unique situation where a lot of really motivated, talented, people came together to try to do something special. Dan and Adam both have great reputations. They’ve been winners, and a lot of people came here believing in them.”

Players have commented favorably regarding the energy and enthusiasm, which is a great contrast to the previous administration. Newmark sees it in the offices as well.

“The energy, the atmosphere is really good. Players, coaches, staff, existing employees everybody has bought in. There’s a lot of excitement for next Sunday. We’re ready to get going. It’s been a really fun process.”

Having worked for the Detroit Lions since 1998, Newmark worked with eight different head coaches (Bobby Ross, Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci, Rod Marinelli, Jim Schwartz, Jim Caldwell, Matt Patricia, and Dan Campbell).

So what is it like to work for Dan Quinn now?

“I think there are a lot of similarities between Coach Campbell and Coach Quinn. They really believe in team, in brotherhood, character and love of football. I think the kind of people we’re trying to get here, believe in football, in work, in team first, that mentality that you see anybody, anywhere, anytime.”

 

Commanders’ assistant GM Lance Newmark has connection to legendary Washington GM

Lance Newmark’s connection to Bobby Beathard.

Lance Newmark knew the Washington Commanders would be challenging, but he is glad he came aboard.

Newmark was first actually hired by former Washington general manager Bobby Beathard, when Beathard was the GM of the Chargers in 1996. Being hired by the Detroit Lions in 1998, Newmark then spent the next 25 seasons with the Lions in various scouting capacities and player personnel.

Knowing the Commanders were 4-13 last season and haven’t had a winning regular season since 2015 and 2016, they are, to say the least, a challenge for their new assistant general manager.

Newmark met with the media on Thursday, declaring, “Every day, we’ve come in here with the attitude of trying to get this better, to make this team as competitive as it can be right away, while also trying to build a team that is going to be competitive for the long haul.”

It didn’t take long to recognize that Newmark and general manager Adam Peters are on the same page. Newmark was echoing much of what Peters told the press on Wednesday. “Every day, we just try to find ways to get better, to improve our roster, to improve our process, whether it’s free agency, the draft, workouts, going back on guys that have been hurt.”

“We try to look under every rock and find every opportunity to improve; we’re trying to do that as fast as we can.”

Newmark has been around a long time, working in the NFL for 28 consecutive seasons. This year, he began working with head coach Dan Quinn for the first time.

The front office, coaching staff, and roster have been overhauled. The DMV hopes this will result in more wins in 2024.

Commanders hire former Panthers GM Scott Fitterer in personnel role

Adam Peters continues adding to his front office.

The Washington Commanders aren’t finished adding to new general manager Adam Peters’ restructured front office. On Monday, the Commanders hired former Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer as a personnel executive. Ben Standig of The Athletic first reported the move.

Fitterer is the latest addition to Washington’s front office. Peters first hired Lance Newmark away from the Detroit Lions as the new assistant general manager, and followed by adding Brandon Sosna, David Blackburn, Chris White and others.

Fitterer spent 20 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks in various roles, including as the vice president of player personnel in 2020. The Panthers hired Fitterer as GM in 2021. Unfortunately, Carolina was a mess under Fitterer, but that was hardly his fault. Owner David Tepper has quickly earned a reputation as a meddlesome owner, much like former Washington owner Daniel Snyder.

In 2021, the Panthers spent a first-round pick on South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. Horn has been good but has battled multiple injuries. In 2022, the Panthers traded for the No. 1 overall pick, which they used on quarterback Bryce Young — a Tepper decision.

Thanks to the trade for Young, the Panthers did not have a first-round pick in 2024.

Fitterer joins Marty Hurney as ex-Carolina GMs in Washington’s front office. Hurney is now an advisor under Peters. Fitterer, Hurney and Martin Mayhew are all former NFL general managers in Washington’s front office reporting to Peters.

Commanders unanimous in their evaluation of rookie linebacker Jordan Magee

Everyone in Washington’s organization believes LB Jordan Magee was a steal.

New Washington general manager Adam Peters wanted to bring some of the things he did in San Francisco, where he served as assistant general manager, to the Commanders.

One of those things is the “Commanders Caucus,” where Peters assembles all of Washington’s executives, coaches, and scouts into one room and gives each one the opportunity to advocate for one lesser-known prospect, according to Sam Fortier of The Washington Post.

When the group convened in April during the NFL draft, the decision was unanimous on the prospect: Temple linebacker Jordan Magee. Therefore, the Commanders used the No. 139 overall pick (fifth round) on Magee.

Assistant general manager Lance Newkirk called it the “ultimate organizational pick.”

Here’s more from Newmark, per Fortier.

“When we met on [Magee], his film and the conversation opened a lot of people’s eyes,” Newmark said. “He really kind of burst on the scene for us.”

Magee became a three-year starter for the Owls and entered the draft. Magee posted good numbers at the NFL combine, which only confirmed what the Commanders saw on his college film. 

Since being drafted, coaches and veteran players have praised Magee. The rookie has wisely taken advantage of the opportunity of having future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner as a mentor.

Newmark told Fortier that one person every department spoke up for Magee and that the Commanders, who were without a fourth-round pick, “sweated for a couple of hours” until they were able to get Magee in the fifth round.

Magee has a massive opportunity in front of him. He doesn’t need to play on defense this season, but instead follow Wagner around everywhere and take advantage of his snaps on special teams.

If it wasn’t evident before, the Commanders believe they found a steal with Magee.

 

Texans QB C.J. Stroud raves about new Commanders hire Dylan Thompson

C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson recall how important Dylan Thompson was to them last season.

The Washington Commanders made another impressive hire on Monday. This time, general manager Adam Peters made a hire that directly impacts his rookie class, specifically quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Washington hired Houston Texans director of team development Dylan Thompson for a similar role. The Commanders parted ways with Malcolm Bracken earlier this offseason. Bracken had served as Washington’s senior director of player development.

Let’s briefly explain the role. First, it’s not a front-office move or a coaching move. In this role, Thompson is responsible for helping all players, specifically younger players, acclimate to the NFL. A former college quarterback at South Carolina, Thompson made a positive impact on last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud, with the Texans.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, here’s what Stroud said about Thompson last year.

“I think I grew tremendously, man,” said Stroud. “I know he’s going to be mad at me for this, Dylan Thompson. Oh my gosh, Dylan is one of the best human beings that I’ve ever met in my life. There’s a ton of people, great people in this organization, but DT has been the main person.

More from Stroud on Thompson.

“You talk about a brother like to somebody who loves you no matter what happens on that field, you can feel that. I just appreciate that and now he’s going to be mad at me, but, man, he’s a great person, and really one of the reasons why I feel like we were very successful this year.”

Stroud said this without anyone asking about Thompson specifically. That’s how much Stroud valued Thompson. Houston’s other top-five draft from 2023, edge rusher Will Anderson, was also positively impacted by Thompson.

Anderson offered similar sentiments on Thompson and how important he was to him and Houston’s other rookies.

Washington is often compared to Houston as a best-case scenario.  A new coach, a dynamic young quarterback selected No. 2 overall, and a last-place team heading into a new season. A phenomenal rookie class played a massive role in the Texans’ turnaround, led by Stroud.

The Commanders’ exciting rookie class enters the 2024 season, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team’s No. 2 overall pick. The hiring of Thompson is another case where Peters is doing everything possible to help Daniels. Thompson worked with current Washington general manager Lance Newmark in Detroit and is quite familiar with him.

While no one knows how next season will turn out for the Commanders, Thompson’s hiring is another case of Peters and Newmark being ahead of the game in support of Daniels and their rookie class.

Commanders continue to add to the front office

Adam Peters continues to reshufflfe the front office.

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters continues to rebuild his front office. Neil Stratton, @InsideTheLeague on X, reported Tuesday that the Commanders are expected to hire Chris White as the team’s new Director of Pro Scouting.

White spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears as the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. Before his promotion in 2022, White also served as a scouting assistant, pro scouting coordinator and pro scout with the Bears since he was hired in 2014.

Before coming to Chicago, White played college football at Florida Atlantic, where he was an offensive lineman. At FAU, White was teammates with former Washington running back Alfred Morris.

Here is a look at Washington’s known moves in the front office since taking over in January:

  • Lance Newmark: Assistant general manager
  • Martin Mayhew: Reassigned from GM to senior personnel executive/advisor to GM
  • Brandon Sosna: Senior vice president/football operations
  • David Blackburn: Director of Player Personnel

Those are the official hirings, as noted on the team’s official website.

Stratton has also reported the following hirings on the scouting side that aren’t yet reflected on the team’s website:

  • Dustin Regan: Area scout
  • Dwaune Jones: National scout
  • Jack Quagliarello. Pro scout

Multiple members of the previous regime’s front office have departed for other scouting jobs, as Peters reshapes the front office in his vision.