Vikings Defensive Coach Headed to Washington
Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones’ time in the Twin Cities has ended, as the Washington Commanders have found their new defensive coordinator. Jones will coordinate a defense all on his own for the first time since 2021, when he ran LSU’s defense.
Washington’s move yanks a key secondary coach, forcing Minnesota to recalibrate its staff early in the offseason.
Jones is the latest Vikings coach to depart this offseason, which has featured more staff changes than usual.
Jones’ Exit Leaves a Hole in Minnesota’s Coaching Staff
Commanders pluck defensive coach from Vikings
Jones to WAS as DC
Employed for a total of five seasons with the Vikings, Jones is on the move.
NFL.com’s Grant Gordon announced the news Monday evening: “The Washington Commanders are hiring Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday evening.”
“Washington moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury earlier this offseason, with head coach Dan Quinn promoting assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough to OC and now plucking Jones, 47, from Minnesota. Whitt Jr. ceded his play-calling duties to Quinn following 10 games in the 2025 season, a dismal 5-12 campaign that fell far short of following up from a 2024 NFC Championship Game run.”
The Commanders’ gig instantly becomes the most prestigious professional assignment Jones has held.
What Jones Will Inherit with Commanders
As Jones gets his shot as defensive coordinator in the big leagues, he’ll take over a roster with these notable players under contract in 2026:
- Trey Amos (CB)
- Javon Kinlaw (DT)
- Frankie Luvu (LB)
- Jer’Zhan Newton (DT)
- Daron Payne (DT)
- Jeremy Reaves (S)
- Mike Sainristil (CB)
High-profile veterans Bobby Wagner, Von Miller, and Preston Smith are on tap for free agency in six weeks.
Washington’s defense ranked 28th in the NFL by DVOA this season and 23rd last year, when it reached the NFC Championship.
Riggo’s Rag‘s Dean Jones believes the draftboard has taken further shape with Jones’ addition to the coaching staff. He wrote Monday, “That makes it a two-horse race, at least from the outside looking in. Rueben Bain Jr. and Arvell Reese may be off the board by the time Washington goes on the clock, leaving Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs as the likeliest candidates.”
“Even though Washington is clamoring for pass-rushing help, Jones’ reputation with defensive backs makes Downs a prospect that cannot be ignored. He fits the mold of what the Commanders should be looking for if their new defensive coordinator runs the scheme most experts anticipate.”
Downs is considered by many to be the best defensive prospect overall in April’s draft.
Jones continued, “And positional importance may guarantee he’s still around when it’s Peters’ turn to pick. Downs is arguably the most talented overall player in this draft. There is nothing he doesn’t excel at, bringing a unique blend of tone-setting physicality and coverage capabilities that were second-to-none in college football.”
“Prioritizing the defensive front might be the way to go. Still, slotting the safety into Jones’ concepts while also benefiting from his exceptional ability to bring out the best in his defensive backs could tip the scales when push comes to shove.”
A Deserved Promotion
It’s time for Jones; it just is. The man interviewed this cycle for defensive coordinator jobs with the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and New York Jets, generating tremendous interest after leading a Vikings defensive secondary that hit on all cylinders in 2024 and 2025.
Notably, Jones’ unit cooked without the keynote cornerbacks that many teams feature. Minnesota gave Jones a CB platter of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, and Fabian Moreau in 2025, and somehow, that group held up. Minnesota’s defense ranked third in the NFL per the aforementioned DVOA metric.
Therefore, Jones’ promotion is deserved. Perhaps he can turn the Commanders’ ailing defense around. It’s worth noting that Washington’s defense should not be in this position. Head coach Dan Quinn comes from a defensive background; there’s no reason to produce one of the league’s worst defenses when the head coach is defense-first.
Vikings Coach Departures in 2026
The Vikings have parted ways or will part ways with the following coaches this offseason:
- Marcus Dixon (defensive line)
- Michael Hutchings (safeties)
- Daronte Jones (defensive passing game)
- Chris Kuper (offensive line)
- Mike Pettine (assistant head coach)
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores signed an extension one week ago, so he isn’t going anywhere. And offensive coordinator Wes Phillips’s contract was extended last summer.
Still, the coaching change is more profound than usual, and O’Connell is tasked with hiring about a half-dozen new coaches.
Jones will turn 48 in the autumn.
You must be logged in to post a comment.