Charlie Adkins enters his third season with the Detroit Lions as Senior Director of Football Administration in 2026. In his role, Adkins works on all player contract negotiations and oversees strategic planning and management of the team's salary cap and compliance with the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement. Adkins also serves as the Lions' liaison to the NFL Management Council.
During his time in Detroit, Adkins has led the contract management for several impactful re-signings, including the extensions of All-Pro players in LB Jack Campbell, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and S Kerby Joseph while also spearheading the extension of two-time 1,000-yard WR Jameson Williams. In his first season with the Lions in 2024, Adkins was a key contributor to the personnel staff that helped the Lions set a franchise record with 15 wins while capturing the No. 1 seed in a postseason for the first time.
Adkins joined Detroit after a seven-season stint with the Arizona Cardinals, spending his last three seasons with the team as Manager, Football Analytics & Research from 2021-23. In Arizona, Adkins oversaw the creation of the team's analytics department and managed the information flow from the team's internal systems throughout the football operation. He was tasked with implementing new infrastructure, systems, and processes to strengthen the Cardinals organization and decision-making throughout the year. Adkins worked with the team's scouting staff and coaching staff on advance scouting, strategic planning, game management, and in-depth analytical research, in addition to his work with player contract negotiations and financial planning. Prior to being elevated to Manager, Football Analytics & Research, he spent two seasons as Coordinator, Football Analytics & Research (2019-20) and two seasons as Football Operations Assistant (2017-18).
Prior to his role with the Cardinals, Adkins completed stints interning in baseball operations in Major League Baseball, working with the Oakland Athletics (2017) and Texas Rangers (2016). While an undergraduate at The University of Texas, Adkins worked throughout the athletic department, including roles as the first-ever advanced analytics intern for the Men's Basketball program and serving as the student representative on the Intercollegiate Men's Athletics Council. He began his professional career with internships with the Round Rock Express, Australian Baseball League, and National Football League.
The Beaumont, Texas native graduated from the Business Honors Program at The University of Texas before completing his Master's in Professional Accounting.
