Daronte Jones is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Washington Commanders' defense. Since being named defensive coordinator, Jones has overseen a wave of departures from his staff - some expected, others more surprising - as he begins the process of building a coaching unit that fits his vision.
The next step? Finding the right replacements to bring that vision to life.
So far, we’ve seen Jason Simmons head to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd and player development coach Pete Ohnegian were let go. Perhaps the most notable departure, though, was team legend Ryan Kerrigan. The former Pro Bowl pass rusher had been serving as an assistant linebackers coach and pass-rush specialist, but Jones opted to move in a different direction.
This kind of turnover is typical when a new coordinator takes the reins - especially one looking to reshape a unit that underperformed. But the challenge now is clear: Jones needs to build a staff that can execute on his defensive philosophy, and he needs to do it quickly. Unfortunately for Washington, one potential piece of that puzzle is now off the board.
Marcus Dixon Joins the Rival Cowboys
According to reports, Marcus Dixon - a name rumored to be on Washington’s radar - is heading to Dallas to become the Cowboys’ new defensive line coach. Dixon has worked alongside Jones before during their time with the Minnesota Vikings, and that familiarity made him a logical candidate to join Jones in D.C.
But Dixon also had ties to new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker from their shared stint in Denver, and that connection ultimately won out. He’ll now join a revamped Dallas defensive staff that includes Derrick Ansley as pass game coordinator and Ryan Smith coaching the corners.
There’s no confirmation that Washington made an official offer to Dixon, but the interest made sense. Jones is reportedly still looking to hire a coach to lead the defensive front seven - a critical role in shaping the identity of this unit. Losing Dixon to a division rival isn’t ideal, especially with Dallas continuing to load up following their trade for Pro Bowl lineman Quinnen Williams.
Time Is of the Essence for Washington
The NFL coaching carousel is spinning fast, and coordinator spots around the league are filling up. That means assistants are getting snatched up quickly, too.
For Jones, who’s waited years for a shot at running a defense, this is a pivotal moment. He’s got to get the right people in place - and fast - if Washington wants to avoid falling behind in what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive NFC East.
Dixon would’ve been a strong hire. He’s respected around the league and brings a track record of developing talent in the trenches.
But his decision to join Dallas isn’t a death blow to Washington’s plans. There are still quality coaches available, and Jones will have other options to consider as he builds out his staff.
Still, the longer this process drags on, the tougher the task becomes. Teams across the league are locking in their staffs, and the pool of available talent is shrinking. If Washington wants to be ready to hit the ground running in the offseason, the time to act is now.
Jones has cleared the deck. Now it’s time to start building.