Commanders Name Daronte Jones as New Defensive Coordinator

The Washington Commanders are bringing in Daronte Jones from the Minnesota Vikings as their new defensive coordinator. This hire fills the spot left open after the team let go of Joe Whitt earlier this month. Jones steps in to lead a defense that struggled badly last season, as head coach Dan Quinn looks to rebuild the unit for 2026.

Background

Washington had high hopes after reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2024. That year, the team went 12-5 in the regular season, powered by quarterback Jayden Daniels and a solid defense. The unit ranked 13th in yards allowed and 18th in points given up. But 2025 brought big problems. The Commanders finished 5-12, third in the NFC East, and missed the playoffs.

The defense fell apart. It ranked last in total yards allowed and 27th in points surrendered. Things got so bad that coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling from Joe Whitt after Week 10. Before that switch, Washington gave up 34 or more points in four of seven games. Whitt had joined the staff in 2024 as a first-time coordinator. He lasted two seasons before the team moved on.

This is not the only change on the coaching staff. The Commanders also parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury right after the season. They promoted David Blough, the assistant quarterbacks coach, to that role. Both coordinators now lack big NFL experience, but Quinn seems set on this path.

Jones comes from Minnesota, where the Vikings ranked third in total defense this season. They beat Washington 31-0 in Week 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jones worked as defensive backs coach since 2022 and added pass game coordinator duties in 2023. He served as top assistant to defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Key Details

Daronte Jones is 47 years old and a native of the Washington area. He grew up in Prince George's County and played high school football at Bishop McNamara. He went to college at Morgan State, nearby. Jones started coaching in 2001 at the college level. He had stops at various schools, plus two years in high school and one in the Canadian Football League.

He entered the NFL in 2016 with the Miami Dolphins. From 2018 to 2019, he coached with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2021, he was defensive coordinator at LSU, where he called plays. He returned to the Vikings in 2022. Over the years, Jones learned from top defensive minds like Mike Zimmer, Vance Joseph, Marvin Lewis, and Brian Flores.

This hiring cycle, Jones interviewed with five teams for coordinator jobs. People who talked to him called his sessions strong. One coach who worked with him said it was only a matter of time before he got a top job.

Washington's Search Process

Dan Quinn wanted someone with experience at first. He talked to Jonathan Gannon, Teryl Austin, Brian Flores, Joe Cullen, Dennard Wilson, and Patrick Graham. Flores even stayed on with Minnesota. But the search widened. Jones was the ninth candidate Washington saw. He stood out despite no NFL play-calling experience.

The deal is almost done. Jones will replace Whitt, who got fired on January 6. Quinn handled calls late in the year, but it is not clear if he keeps that role now.

"Daronte's interview was impressive. He's ready for this step." – A source close to one team that interviewed him.

What This Means

Jones faces a tough job. Washington's defense needs a full rebuild. The team plans to chase young talent in free agency and the draft. They hold the seventh overall pick. Finding help for the secondary and front seven is key. Last season's collapse hurt the whole team, with injuries to Daniels adding to the mess.

Both sides of the ball now have new leaders without much coordinator time. Blough is a first-timer on offense, like Jones on defense. Quinn must make this work to get back to 2024 levels. The Vikings secondary thrived under Jones. They ranked second in passing yards allowed in 2025 and led the NFL with 24 picks in 2024, when Minnesota went 14-3.

Fans in D.C. know Jones from his roots. He understands the area. His time under Flores, whose Vikings defense was elite, could bring fresh ideas. Minnesota shut down opponents, and Jones helped build that. Now he turns to a unit that let teams run wild.

The Commanders aim to bounce back in 2026. With young pieces and Quinn's leadership, Jones gets a chance to prove himself. The front office eyes the draft hard. They want speed and smarts on defense. Free agency could add vets too. Every move counts after dropping from contender to bottom-feeder.

Jones brings energy from his college days calling plays at LSU. His NFL path shows steady growth. Working with stars like Zimmer and Flores prepared him. Washington hopes he sparks change. The fan base wants wins after the letdown. Spring brings new starts, and this hire sets the tone.

Quinn picked Jones over others for a reason. The coach values teachers who develop players. Jones did that in Minnesota. The secondary improved year over year. Washington needs that now. The seventh pick might land a corner or edge rusher. Jones will shape how they fit.

This staff shakeup shows Quinn trusts his picks. Blough and Jones both rise from within systems. No big names, but potential. The 5-12 mark stings after NFC title hopes. Defense must lead the fix. Jones steps up at home, ready to build.