Commanders Name Daronte Jones New Defensive Coordinator

The Washington Commanders are bringing in Daronte Jones from the Minnesota Vikings as their new defensive coordinator. The team is putting the final touches on the deal after a tough 2025 season that saw their defense struggle badly. Head coach Dan Quinn had looked at several candidates before landing on Jones, who has worked closely with some of the league's top defensive minds.

Background

Washington went 5-12 last year, a big drop from their 12-5 record the season before that got them to the NFC Championship Game. The defense fell apart, finishing last in yards allowed and near the bottom in points given up. That led to changes on the coaching staff right after the season ended.

Joe Whitt had been the defensive coordinator for two seasons, but the team let him go earlier this month. On offense, they moved on from Kliff Kingsbury and brought in David Blough, who had been the assistant quarterbacks coach. Both new coordinators lack big play-calling experience in the NFL, which sets up an interesting dynamic for 2026.

Dan Quinn took over as head coach in 2024. He has a long history as a defensive coordinator himself, including stints with the Seahawks and Falcons. Quinn wanted someone who could fit his vision of an aggressive defense that can switch things up. He interviewed a number of experienced coaches like Jonathan Gannon, Teryl Austin, Brian Flores, Joe Cullen, Dennard Wilson, and Patrick Graham. In the end, he went with Jones, who brings a different background.

Jones has been in the NFL since 2016, with a short break in 2021 when he served as defensive coordinator at LSU. He started with the Vikings in 2022 coaching the defensive backs. The next year, he added pass game coordinator to his title and stayed in that role through the 2025 season. Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings had one of the best defenses in the league, ranking third in total defense this year. They even shut out Washington 31-0 in Week 14.

Key Details

Jones, who is 47, interviewed with five teams this hiring cycle, including the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and New York Jets. People who watched his interviews called them impressive. One coach who worked with him said it was only a matter of time before he got a coordinator job.

Jones's Coaching Path

His career shows a focus on defensive backs and the passing game. At LSU in 2021, his defense ranked seventh in the country in interception percentage and top 25 in turnovers forced. Back with the Vikings, he helped build a unit strong on takeaways, especially interceptions in 2024. Flores himself gave Jones credit for the team's disguises and pre- and post-snap rotations.

"A lot of that credit goes to Daronte Jones, our pass game coordinator. He and Mike Hutchings spend the lion's share of time with the group and that's where a lot of the think tank kinda disguises show up." – Brian Flores, Vikings Defensive Coordinator

Jones has coached under Mike Zimmer and Vance Joseph too. His style is described as teacher-like. He meets players where they are, builds on their skills, and focuses on fundamentals rather than forcing them into a rigid scheme. That approach could help young players like Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos develop faster.

Washington's secondary was a weak spot last year. They gave up too many yards through the air and didn't get enough turnovers. Jones's experience should bring better coverage, communication, and ball skills to that group. His units emphasize discipline and forcing mistakes from offenses.

The Commanders have tools to rebuild. They have about $63 million in salary cap space and the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Prospects like Miami's Rueben Bain and Texas Tech's David Bailey could fit as edge rushers. The team needs upgrades across the defensive line and back seven no matter who calls the plays.

Quinn might keep the play-calling duties himself, given his background. Or he could hand them to Jones, who called plays at LSU but not yet in the pros. Either way, the scheme should stay aggressive and flexible, matching what Quinn wants.

What This Means

This hire puts Washington in a rebuild mode on defense. Both coordinators are new to big roles, so there will be growing pains. But Jones comes from a winning setup in Minnesota, where Flores just signed an extension. That opened the door for Jones to move up without staying as a potential replacement.

The Vikings lose a key assistant, but they face the Commanders next season. Minnesota's defense should stay strong even without Jones. For Washington, better turnover production could give quarterback Jayden Daniels shorter fields to work with. Last year's offense showed promise at times, but the defense let them down.

Fans in D.C. hope this starts a turnaround. The team has talent but lacked cohesion. Jones's focus on teaching and player connections might build that. His emphasis on an attacking secondary fits Quinn's style, creating a unified front.

Looking ahead, free agency and the draft will shape the roster. Washington could target veterans for immediate help while drafting for the future. The cap space gives flexibility to sign impact players on the line or in the back end.

Jones steps into a high-pressure spot. The Commanders want to compete in the NFC East, a tough division with the Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants. A stronger defense could push them back toward playoffs. Success here might put Jones on the head coaching track down the line.

The deal is not official yet, but talks are in the final stages. Once signed, Jones will hit the ground running with offseason workouts soon to start. Players have already heard the news and seem open to the change after last year's disappointments.