Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones addressed the media earlier this week to discuss his vision and plans for the team's defense in 2026. Here are the top 10 quotes from his press conference.
On how he's prepared throughout his career to be ready for this moment:
"Just being around some of the talented coaches, great minds that I've been a part of. Growing up, you know, from [Former Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach] Marvin Lewis to [Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator] Vance Joseph, [Former Minnesota Vikings Head Coach] Mike Zimmer, [Indianapolis Colts Defensive Coordinator] Lou Anarumo and even as recently as [Minnesota Vikings Head Coach] Kevin O'Connell and [Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores, they've prepared me and being around them learn lessons, how to lead, how to structure their side of the ball, how to implement certain learning techniques, and finding out about the culture amongst the guys have helped guide me to where I'm today."
On how coaches he's worked with have shaped his defensive philosophy and what he hopes to bring to Washington:
"Versatility, adaptability, using our players' strengths to the best of their ability, maximizing what they do, being a feature that, and then minimizing the things that they don't do well. And each coach has provided a certain way of highlighting whoever that athlete may be and whatever that strength may be that allowed them to get to their highest level. And so, my ability and learning from those guys in terms of how to tap into each individual player and each individual player is different. But it all starts with relationships, and the biggest thing that I've gotten in this profession is how to attack and relate to players and connect with those guys. And that starts with the relationships aspect of it. And what does that mean? That starts with trust."
On if he has an idea of 3-4 or 4-3 for the defensive lineup:
"Multiple, I think 3-4, 4-3. They're just numbers. Still seven man spacing, [laugh]. So, I always say it's not how they line up, it's how they wind up. And so, you can create that number system in numerous ways."
On the best way to use LB Frankie Luvu's skillset:
"Love Frankie Luvu. Watched him on tape. He's a guy that before I even got here that we would watch and put on a tape in our meeting room. I love his athleticism. He's best going downhill, getting the match up on running backs, that's always a key. You're going to hear that a lot in terms of match ability and putting guys in advantageous positions. He's best when he can go downhill, use his athleticism to win on edges, use his speed, so time distance and space to encounter those matchups. And you want to put him in that situation where he's matchable on the running back. And I think running backs are one of the guys, on offense that gets the least amount of reps and protections."
On why Washington was the right fit:
"Well, that's a loaded question. I mean, it's, again, I grew up in the area. I grew up, you know, wearing the burgundy and supporting the Washington organization. I went to elementary school, middle school, literally right across the street from where the stadium is in Palmer Park, Maryland. I went to Kenmore Middle School, and I went to Matthew Henson Elementary. So, growing up a diehard fan, the family's backing it. So, when the opportunity came, I thought it was a win-win situation. I wanted to put my best foot forward. And then when you talk about the people in the building, such as [Head Coach] Dan Quinn, such as [General Manager] Adam Peters, great ownership with [Managing Partner] Josh Harris and the crew. One I want to say thank you for that, by the way. I didn't mean to say it. I want to start off just by thanking the ownership. Josh Harris, thanking Dan Quinn, thanking Adam Peters for the opportunity that they've afforded me. But when you're around certain people and you see the alignment of the organization, ownership management, head coach, quarterback, it's a win-win for not only the DMV, but a win-win for me as well."
On players he's excited to work with:
"I mean, I had a chance to speak with quite a few players already and they're all excited to get going just as I am. But I think the team is filled with some versatility players and I think you can be, they can be used in several ways. You look at a [CB Mike] Sainristil who was very versatile coming out of college, and the things that he was able to accomplish at University of Michigan, not only winning the championship, but the way he done it, right? And how he led those guys there. When you talk to the guys from that championship team, everyone points to him as being the leader. You look at a [S] Quan Martin, who I know evaluating him, coming out, you know, we were like, 'Hey, is he a safety? Is he a nickel? Is he a corner?'. That's another guy that has versatility. You know? And then I think when you look at [S] Will Harris and how he's able to move in the line of scrimmage, cover tight ends on the deep paths, you look at a [LB] Jordan Magee, another guy who's an on the ball, off the ball, the list goes on and on. You look at a you know, [DT] Javon Kinlaw, who can play all different levels up front. And so, the talent is there, the skillset is there. It's our job with the staff to maximize those skill talent. And I'm excited to work with the staff that we have. There's going to be a lot of collaborative effort going forward and the communication and we get a chance to teach, right? You know, we talk about the foundation from ground up and trying to connect to these players and find out how they learn. And I think that's the biggest thing going forward. To be able to utilize versatility. You got to figure out how do they learn? We all, as human beings, we learn differently, right? And so, each player is going to fall into one of the four categories of learning styles, and it's our responsibility to figure out a third visual, auditory, auditory, read and write, or if it's kinesthetic learners. And that's our job to pull that out of them."
On what defense will look like and what emotions it will bring to fans under his leadership:
"I'm not going to say, you know, all the typical coaching buzzwords, but I will say that when you turn on the tape, joy would be one, all right? That would be the number one thing that if you turn on the tape or you watching TV from wherever you may be watching from, to see the joy that these players have when they step on the field, the joy that they have when they're playing with one another, the comradery. That's the number one thing that we want to have on the defense. I think when you have, when you see joy out there, guys are playing selflessness, and you're seeing a team defense, and you're seeing guys who they don't care who makes the play long as someone makes the play, and they're willing to take on a double team or take this pick so that you can kind of clear up. And they're going to learn that the word sacrifice, although has a negative connotation, will be seen in different light. Meaning it's not what am I willing to give up? It's what I'm willing to do for. And having that mindset amongst the whole team will provide that joy. But outside of the joy, you want to see, you know, guys that are, you know, constantly attacking the football, creating takeaways. You want to see guys playing with some type of, some high IQ, some type of intelligence out there and communicating. So, but the joy is the number one thing that you want to see. I'm not going to use any other buzz words that, you know, trigger things, but joy would be the collective unit."
On bringing Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' aggressive scheme to Washington:
"Well, it's about what we do well if we have the players and their skill sets, some of the skill sets are to be aggressive. By nature, I'm an aggressive person by nature, just in the background. And not only with Brian Flores. His aggressiveness looks a little bit different than what it may have been in the past. But really, if you think about it, there's not much diff there aren't many differences between him and Mike Zimmer in terms of the aggression. It was just, you know, Zim was more third down aggression with Flo, it's more first, second, and third down, aggression, right? And it just looks differently. You know, Zim was more mug looks, whereas Flo is more all offsets. But there will be some incorporation of all that. I don't want to get too much in the Xs and Os, but we will try to dictate the terms and change the math. There's a buzzword for you [laugh], but we will use that just with our adaptability and versatile approach. But I think the way the players help shape that. So, it's all about players first and scheme second. And so based off what our players can do, we will do. If players can't do that, then we will do and put them in situations where they can be at their best. And so, yes, by nature, I'm an aggressive person. By nature, we want to become more aggressive in some way, shape, or form. Is that pressures, or is that just being more of attacking? Is that being more technique and fundamentals, attacking blocks, defeating blocks, tackling, and just doing the routine things routinely? That could also be seen as being aggressive as well, when you're just playing technique. And so, it's based off what we have player wise."
On the strengths of the defense:
"I would say young and athletic. I know there are some there's some older pieces there, but for the most part, especially the guys that we know we have in our system here, you look at the back end with, we're talking about Sainristil, [CB] Trey Amos, Quan Martin, Will Harris, you know, those guys are athletic. Then you throw in the [S Jeremy] Reaves in there as well, who provides some versatility, you know? And [S Tyler] Owens is also another guy who's versatile. You look at Magee, you look at Luvu, you look at [LB Kain] Medrano, those guys are athletic and they're young. You know, and up front you have some savvy vets up there. And then you have [DE Jer'Zhan] Newton, who's also a young player who has some mobility inside in the interior d-line. And so, when you look at that, the first thing that jumps off the tape is these guys can run and hit. And so, you definitely want to use that to where guys are going forward versus going backwards."
On his message to the defensive staff:
"Definitely talked about being collaborative, having a collaborative input. I don't, we don't care where good ideas come from. You know, meeting the staff, you can feel it already, the juice, the building, the strong dynamics to be able to have some creativity in the room. Some dialogue in the room. Definitely have to have that. Open lines of communication. But you get a sense of, there's a lack of ego in the room, which is great. You can see that we have a staff of guys that can be at their best in the darkest of moments which you look for. But you also, you're seeing teachers and you're seeing communicators, you're seeing a certain sense of humility in there, and you see their character really come to light. And I think with all that, that's a great environment where things can grow and we can bring this all and we can make it all come to life in terms of our vision that we have amongst the defense and for the organization as a whole under Coach Quinn."
