The New England Patriots will be represented at a Coach Accelerator program at the NFL Spring Meeting in Minneapolis next week.

Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington will be one of 40 participants “attending based on their high potential to be considered for a Head Coach position in the future,” according to a team press release.

“The Coach Accelerator aims to increase exposure between owners, executives, and diverse coaching talent, providing ample opportunity to develop and build upon their relationships,” per the release. “In a change to the nomination process this year, clubs were able to nominate those from outside of their organization, which promotes recognition and growth beyond one's current club.”

Covington has been with the Patriots for six seasons. He started out as a coaching assistant in 2017 and 2018 before moving to outside linebackers coach in 2019. He’s been New England’s defensive line coach since 2020.

It’s been a big offseason for Covington, who interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals’ and Los Angeles Chargers’ previous defensive coordinator vacancies. Covington also served as a defensive coordinator at the Senior Bowl.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon predicted Covington will be a defensive coordinator next year.

The Patriots don't currently have a coach with the defensive coordinator title, though Covington would be blocked for such a job by linebackers coaches Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo, who share the de facto role behind head coach Bill Belichick. Mayo is another potential future head coach on the Patriots' staff. It would be shocking to see offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien get another head coaching opportunity if New England's offense can get back on track.