Commanders bank on Daronte Jones to energize a stagnant defense

The Washington Commanders tapped Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator after failing to lure Brian Flores, a choice Vikings writer Luke Norris says leverages Jones’s track record with Minnesota’s secondary and Flores’s trust in him. It’s a high‑risk, high‑reward move for a defense in need of a full revamp, with success hinging on personnel decisions and GM input. Jones’s background alongside Flores, Zimmer, and others could bring more aggression, pressure, and takeaways, but the job also signals potential further changes in 2027 if the plan falters.