The Washington Commanders have hired former Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Daronte Jones to be their new defensive coordinator. Here's how social media reacted to the news.
From @MSUBearsFB to the @NFL! š
— Morgan State Bears (@MorganStBears) January 27, 2026
šCongratulations to alum Daronte Jones on joining the @Commanders ! #BearPride #GoBearsš·š¶ pic.twitter.com/nVmzb8Yyyx
The Vikings ranked first in 2025 in opponents pass yards per game with Daronte Jones as defensive pass game coordinator with an average of 158.5 yds per game.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/a16dqhg8lB
— SleeperCommanders (@SleeperWSH) January 28, 2026
Source: Commanders are finalizing a deal to hire Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their defensive coordinator.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026
Jones has been one of Brian Floresā most trusted defensive coaches the past three seasons, and he also has coachedā¦ pic.twitter.com/SZKKFocpgO
New #Commanders DC Daronte Jones has seen it all. Heās had 13 stops and has coached at the high school level, Division I, Division II, Division III, the CFL, and the NFL.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 27, 2026
āI definitely took the long way.ā https://t.co/8qrEGcwHWa pic.twitter.com/diE6DNf6Zi
We asked Daran, who played under Daronte Jones, what stands out immediately when players first meet him ā and his answer says a lot about the coach he is. #RaiseHail
— Reedie & Zee (@reedieandzee) January 28, 2026
FULL - https://t.co/dDuCl76vJA pic.twitter.com/DkCdh2CKBH
1st time OC in David Blough & 1st time DC Daronte Jones I love the upside of both hires. Love that DQ didnāt just settle and wasnāt afraid to hire young guys. Now we wait and see if they work out! š„ pic.twitter.com/yHSQNlsu0l
— Zac (@DCzWall) January 27, 2026
New #Commanders DC Daronte Jones coaches with PASSION & LEADERSHIP
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) January 27, 2026
Hereās two minutes of him at the 2024 Senior Bowl #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/5j4JpzbYeb
Random fun fact about Daronte Jones:
— T āReshā Manuel (@reshmanuel) January 28, 2026
Accepted into multiple law schools before deciding to try to continue pursuing his coaching career
This meant sleeping in his car, sleeping on coworkers couches. All as he climbed his way up.
Heās got the smarts and has put in the work.
New Commanders DC Daronte Jones comes over from Minnesota where he worked under Brian Flores. Heāll be a first-time NFL coordinator and play-caller.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 27, 2026
His last 10 years of work include ā pic.twitter.com/KbDPx2AEK0
Daronte Jones is a solid hire! Minnesota had the 2nd best pass defense, in which we struggled heavily. Now give him some pieces to work with AP. #RaiseHail
— nerĆøš° (@nero5k_) January 27, 2026
Has been coached by Flores & Zimmer pic.twitter.com/l9zI2YqeLc
A DQ-Daronte connection:
— T āReshā Manuel (@reshmanuel) January 27, 2026
Here's an interesting snippet from an article about Dexter Davis, former (current?) team chaplain on the Atlanta Falcons
Davis was Daronte Jones' position coach at Morgan State and someone Jones has said is a key influence on his life #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/AiyXG3SRVV
Daronte Jones: Players first, scheme second pic.twitter.com/U7VTd8DMoc
— T āReshā Manuel (@reshmanuel) January 27, 2026
Coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke about coaches who love football. Show me another candidate (Daronte Jones) who slept in a car for 6 months to coach in Chicago.
— Boss *Show Me (@BossCowboySport) January 18, 2026
Do you know how cold Chicago can get? pic.twitter.com/Er05MW8znF
The Minnesota Vikings passing defense in 2025, led by Brian Flores and new Commanders DC Daronte Jones:
— Brev (@brevmanbane) January 27, 2026
š 158.5 passing yards per game allowed (2nd-best in NFL)
š 5.4 yards per passing play allowed (6th best)
š 15 passing touchdowns allowed (2nd best)
š -0.21 EPA/passā¦ pic.twitter.com/RV2rQsznQS
Daronte Jones is the new DC for the Washington Commanders. Letās take a look at his Brian Flores influenced scheme:
— Carolina Commander (@SC_Commanderr) January 27, 2026
ā¢ diverse looks
ā¢ aggressive disguised blitzes
ā¢ avoids single deep safeties
ā¢ safety versatility
ā¢ prioritize the ball
ā¢ attack spacingā¦ pic.twitter.com/bGPgneq8ca
Commanders Nation, welcome Daronte Jonesāļø
— Chris Bryant (@HogfarmerChris) January 27, 2026
From Vikings defensive passing game coordinator to our new defensive coordinator.
Letās work. š¤ #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/1ePSplEL6a
Did the Commanders hire a true up-and-comer in coaching with Daronte Jones? pic.twitter.com/wBI3We5b69
— The Team 980 (@team980) January 28, 2026
Daronte Jones interviewed for muliple defensive coordinator positions, including the Saints last year. Alec Lewis tells us about the Saints executive who raved about Daronte Jones. pic.twitter.com/KULnOnimtl
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) January 27, 2026
The Washington Commanders have a new defensive coordinator.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 28, 2026
His name is Daronte Jones.
I spoke with @john_keim today about the style of defense Jones will bring with him to Washington.
JK told me, "I expect it to be more aggressive and attacking...that's where he comes from." pic.twitter.com/JGabEg5piV
No more passive defense in D.C. š¤
— King of DC Sports (@dcsportsking) January 27, 2026
Dan Quinn's hiring of Daronte Jones brings "organized chaos" and the aggressive Flores playbook to Washington. Hereās why this merit-based move is exactly what the #Commanders needed. š Belowš#RaiseHail #HTTC #NFL pic.twitter.com/PdIyDH2yvO
