NFL teams will be rewarded with extra draft picks for developing minority personnel because only 12 percent of head coaches and GMs are black compared to 70 percent of players
Facing a noticeable demographic discrepancy between the field and NFL front offices, team owners have approved a proposal that will reward organizations for developing minority coaches and front office personnel who become head coaches, general managers or team presidents for other clubs.
Around 70 percent of NFL players are African American, but the league currently has only three head coaches, two interim head coaches, and two general managers who are black, as well as Latino Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera.
The voting was held Tuesday during a virtual meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league executives.
The voting was held Tuesday during a virtual meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league executives. Also, the league's owners unanimously approved a contingency plan to expand the playoff field to 16 teams if meaningful games are canceled due to COVID-19. The postseason, which was already expanded from 12 to 14 teams before the coronavirus pandemic, will be adjusted if the league can't complete its full slate of games within the original 17-week schedule or with an additional 18th week. The 16-team playoff system would be incorporated only if potential playoff teams miss games. Goodell said the league will not re-seed so the four division winners will host first-round games. That means the NFC East champion will get a home game. The Philadelphia Eagles lead the division at 3-4-1
A team such as the Kansas City Chiefs, who have highly coveted black offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy , will benefit if he's given a head-coaching position elsewhere
Teams that lose a minority coach or an executive to a head coach position or primary football executive role with another club will receive a third-round compensatory pick for two consecutive years. If a team loses a minority coach and an executive to both head coach and general manager/president roles, that club will receive a third-round compensatory pick for three consecutive years.
So a team such as the Kansas City Chiefs, who have highly coveted black offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, will benefit if he's given a head-coaching position elsewhere. And every team is getting an incentive to develop African-American personnel going forward.
The resolution must be approved by the NFL Players Association.
'We have taken many steps in this area, particularly over the last year, but we all recognize that we must do more to support development opportunities for minority coaches and all personnel,' Goodell said.
'This is an important initiative for the NFL and we have often said we don't know if there's one specific step that's going to make the difference. ... So our effort here is to continue to look at everything we're doing to try to improve our policies, our procedures, to encourage and to get the results we want, which is more diversity and inclusion within our ranks.'
Vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after the first OTA practice on May 24
The league's African-American head coaches include Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers), Anthony Lynn (Los Angeles Chargers), and Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins), while Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons) and Romeo Crennel (Houston Texans) are currently serving as interim head coaches.
The NFL also has two African-American general managers in Chris Grief and Andrew Berry (Cleveland Browns), as well as one Latino head coach, Ron Rivera (Washington Football Team).
The Washington Football Team hired Jason Wright as president in March, making him the first African American to hold that role in league history.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said the new incentives are part of the league's effort to improve diversity.
"That just complements part of the overall collection of the things that we're doing to try to increase mobility among in particular black coaches and females as well in the coach and the GM front,' Vincent told ESPN. I'm looking forward to seeing what the offseason has to bring in the hiring cycle."
Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn is one of only three black head coaches in the NFL. The league also has one Latino head coach, two black interim head coaches, and two black GMs
Also, the league's owners unanimously approved a contingency plan to expand the playoff field to 16 teams if meaningful games are canceled due to COVID-19.
The postseason, which was already expanded from 12 to 14 teams before the coronavirus pandemic, will be adjusted if the league can't complete its full slate of games within the original 17-week schedule or with an additional 18th week. The 16-team playoff system would be incorporated only if potential playoff teams miss games.
Goodell said the league will not re-seed so the four division winners will host first-round games. That means the NFC East champion will get a home game. The Philadelphia Eagles lead the division at 3-4-1.
'Our objective is for all teams to safely and responsibly complete the regular season within our 17-week schedule and have a full postseason, culminating with the Super Bowl, with fans in the stands on February 7 in Tampa,' Goodell said.
General Manager Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins answers questions from the media during a season ending press conference at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on December 30, 2019 in Davie, Florida