The new-look Washington Commanders football operations staff led by recently hired general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn is starting to come together.

Lance Newmark will work directly under Peters as assistant general manager, the organisation announced on Wednesday. After 26 years with the Detroit Lions, the last two of which he spent as senior director of player personnel, Newmark has joined Washington.
In a statement, Peters said, “Lance is a phenomenal person, and he will immediately elevate our overall personnel function here.” Throughout my entire tenure in the scouting business, I have known and respected Lance. He is an excellent leader and well-respected talent assessor who will fit right in with what we’re creating.

Peters, Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have also made several staff additions, including hiring Larry Izzo as special teams coach, Bobby Johnson as offensive line coach and Ken Norton Jr. as linebackers coach, according to a person with knowledge of the moves, who also confirmed quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard, receivers coach Bobby Engram and pass rush specialist Ryan Kerrigan are returning.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hires have not yet been announced.

Former Lions GM Martin Mayhew, whose previous title with the Commanders was general manager when Ron Rivera ran football operations, is also staying on as senior personnel executive/advisor to the GM, while Marty Hurney shifted to an advisory role.

Newmark, who first became an NFL executive working for Hall of Famer Bobby Beathard with the San Diego Chargers in the 1990s, had been with Detroit since 1998. With the Lions, he most recently oversaw the day-to-day operations in football technology and information and was the liaison between those departments and player personnel.

“I will always be thankful for my time in Detroit and cannot say enough good things about the Lions organization,” Newmark said. “I have tremendous respect for Adam, and believe strongly in him, and in his vision for this franchise.”