The Washington Commanders are hiring Minnesota Vikings defensive back Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator, NFL Networks insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday night.
Washington let go of defensive backs coach Joe Whitt and offensive line coach Kliff Kingsbury earlier this offseason, but head coach Dan Quinn brought assistant coach David Blough to OC and is now pulling Jones, 47, from Minnesota.
Whitt Jr. relinquished his role to Quinn 10 games into the 2025 season, a dismal 5-12 campaign that fell far short of a 2024 NFC Championship game appearance.
For the 2024 season, Quinn brought in Whitt. The veteran-laden defense was about middle of the road, ranked 13thi.e in permitted meters and 18i.e in points as a Jayden Daniels-led offense led the Chiefs to make their NFC title game run.
The wheels fell off in Washington in nearly every possible way in 2025, and the defense was dead last in yards allowed, 27.i.e in the levels provided.
Now, Jones will be tasked with righting the defensive ship, although it remains to be seen if Quinn will retain any coaching roles.
Jones previously was with the Miami Dolphins (2016-2017), Cincinnati Bengals (2018-19) and then began his time with the Vikings in 2020. In 2021, Jones was LSU’s defensive coordinator before returning to Minnesota for the past three years under defensive coordinator Brian Flor.
As Quinn and the Chiefs look to bounce back from a disastrous 2025 and return to 2024 form, Washington has its new coordinators — both first-time NFL coordinators — in place.