Source: Commanders finalizing deal to hire Daronte Jones as DC

The Washington Commanders are finalizing a deal to hire Daronte Jones from the Minnesota Vikings as their next defensive coordinator, a source told ESPN on Monday.

Jones will replace Joe Whitt, who was fired earlier this month after two seasons with Washington. The Commanders will have two inexperienced coordinators in 2026 after replacing Kliff Kingsbury with David Blough on offense shortly after the end of the season.

The Commanders finished 5-12, a year after going 12-5 en route to a berth in the NFC Championship Game.

Jones had interviewed with five teams during this hiring cycle, and a source from one team called his interview “impressive.” A person who coached Jones said last week that it was “only a matter of time” before he landed the defensive coordinator job.

Jones has been coaching in the NFL since 2016, except for a year as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2021. He joined the Vikings coaching staff in 2022, working with the defensive backs. He was named Minnesota’s passing game coordinator a year later and remained in that role through that season.

Washington coach Dan Quinn had been looking for an experienced coordinator and interviewed several who fit that description: Jonathan Gannon, Teryl Austin, Brian Flores, Joe Cullen, Dennard Wilson and Patrick Graham.

Jones called plays while with LSU. He also worked under Flores as well as notable defensive coaches such as Mike Zimmer, Vance Joseph and Marvin Lewis.

Jones was born in suburban Washington, D.C., and played his college ball at neighboring Morgan State. He coached in college from 2001 to 2016 – with a two-year stop coaching high school and one year in the Canadian Football League.

Washington’s defense needed an overhaul. The Commanders ranked 27th in scoring and last in yards last season. Quinn took over playcalling duties from Whitt before the Week 11 game against Miami. Washington had given up 34 points or more in four of its previous seven games before the decision.

The Commanders should place an emphasis on finding young defensive talent this offseason, whether in free agency or the draft, where they have the seventh overall pick.