The NFL calendar made multitasking easier for Josh Harris.

The Washington Commanders’ managing partner attended the owners’ meetings in Dallas this week, which doubled as the fourth Front Office & General Manager Accelerator Program. Per the league, this meet and greet is designed for a selected and diverse group of candidates to receive an “opportunity to build relationships with club owners and executives ahead of the hiring cycle.” That’s a down-the-road matter for most involved. Not Washington.

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The informal encounters give teams expected to seek significant general manager or front-office hires this offseason — such as the Commanders — a jump start on the eventual proceedings. That’s a sincere benefit to an ownership group that completed its purchase of the Commanders for $6.05 billion as the team began training camp.

Washington is expected to shake up the coaching and front-office staff after the season concludes. The Commanders, 4-9 coming off their bye week, enter Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Rams having dropped four in a row, including the last two by a combined score of 90-25. While not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the skid ensured a fourth consecutive non-winning final record under head coach and front-office leader Ron Rivera.

The type of structured hierarchy Harris desires is a significant question. General manager lead? Another coach-centric setup? President of football operations above all? Though homework began weeks before, those details might not become clearer until after Washington completes its final four games. As one league source projected, the same is true of the names of potential targets for four to five GM openings.

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Multiple candidates viewed as options for teams were expected to participate in the accelerator program. The Commanders’ leadership held court with those in attendance, and Harris’ charm made a strong impression, according to league sources attending the meetings.

Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham is arguably the most high-profile name among the 42 candidates selected by their respective teams to attend. The Virginia native turned down an offer last year to become the Arizona Cardinals’ GM, according to reports. Cunningham previously worked in the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens organizations.

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Other names to watch include Las Vegas Raiders interim GM Champ Kelly, New Orleans Saints assistant GM/vice president of football operations Khai Harley, Cleveland Browns assistant GM/vice president of football operations Catherine Raiche, Los Angeles Chargers director of player personnel JoJo Wooden, Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook and Eagles director of player personnel Charles Walls.

The Raiders elevated Kelly from assistant GM to interim GM after firing Dave Ziegler earlier in the season, and they may eventually drop the temporary tag. Washington interviewed Wooden in 2021 for its GM opening that ultimately went to Martin Mayhew. Raiche joined Cleveland under GM Andrew Berry after stints as football operations coordinator and vice president of football operations from 2019 to 2022 with the Eagles.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for all the candidates, not only to gain professional and personal development opportunities, exposure to ownership and top executives, but also to get to know each other,” Raiche told the Browns’ team website ahead of her third accelerator meeting.

Washington’s senior director of player personnel, Eric Stokes, also attended the meeting.

The Commanders started the staff shake-up last month with the firings of defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer. Rivera said he made those decisions following Washington’s 45-10 loss at the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, and he shared his plan with Harris the following day. A decision about Rivera’s future became a more public discussion during the losing streak.

“I just stick with the one game at a time mentality,” Rivera said before the Cowboys loss. “The biggest thing I can control is every day. That’s it. After that, the future, I can’t tell you what the future’s going to be.”

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Harris’ role in the league meetings coincided with significant money news back home. Monumental Sports, the ownership group for the Washington Wizards and Capitals, announced a non-binding agreement with Virginia for a new arena and other amenities. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser subsequently shared a plan to keep the teams in the District. How this matter unfolds will impact the Commanders’ push for a new stadium.

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Virginia snagging two teams would seemingly pit Maryland and Washington against one another, each facing significant pressure to secure a win. The team plays in Maryland’s Prince George’s County, and the state has committed $400 million to a new stadium project. Nostalgia is a primary weapon for the District, with the organization eyeing a possible return to the RFK Stadium site the team called home until 1997.

Resolving the stadium issue, while pressing, won’t come until long after Washington determines its internal football leadership going forward.

Harris’ ownership portfolio includes the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils and a stake in English soccer club Crystal Palace. He will lean on those experiences upon choosing the next step. Harris also spoke of the need for patience at last month’s Sports Business Journal’s Dealmakers conference.

“There’s no shortcuts to the top. There’s shortcuts to the middle,” Harris said. “You want to be 8-8? I can get you there quickly — 8-8-1. You want to be great? There are no shortcuts.”

But there are multitasking opportunities.

(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)