Daronte Jones is officially on the clock in Washington, and he’s wasting no time getting to work.
Brought in by new head coach Dan Quinn to lead the Commanders’ defense through a pivotal transition, Jones is stepping into a high-pressure role with high expectations. And while his resume might not scream “veteran coordinator,” Jones brings something else to the table - a sharp defensive mind forged under some of the NFL’s most demanding coaches, including Brian Flores. Now, he’s tasked with reshaping a defense that’s been stuck in neutral for far too long.
The early signs? He’s not here to play it safe.
According to reports, Jones is already eyeing changes to the defensive coaching staff, specifically targeting the front seven - and more precisely, the pass rush. That’s no surprise.
Washington’s inability to generate consistent pressure over the past two seasons has been a glaring issue. The defensive line, once considered a strength of the team, hasn’t lived up to its billing.
Some of that falls on the personnel - aging veterans who couldn’t produce at a high level - but the scheme and coaching haven’t helped either.
Jones knows that if you’re not getting to the quarterback in today’s NFL, you’re falling behind. So he’s reportedly looking to bring in a new coach to oversee the front seven, with a clear mandate: fix the pass rush, and do it fast.
That kind of move signals a few things. First, Jones isn’t afraid to make bold decisions.
He’s not here to simply inherit a defense - he’s here to build one. Second, it shows that he and general manager Adam Peters are already aligned in terms of vision.
Peters handles the personnel side, but Jones is clearly being given the latitude to shape the coaching staff how he sees fit.
And that could mean tough conversations are coming.
Several current assistants - including linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., defensive line coach Darryl Tapp, and pass-rush specialist Ryan Kerrigan - may find themselves on the hot seat. All three are respected names, both inside and outside the building. But respect doesn’t always translate to results, and if Jones believes new voices are needed to unlock the potential of this group, he’ll have the green light to make those changes.
That won’t be easy for Dan Quinn. Loyalty matters to him, and many of these assistants have deep ties to the organization. But if Quinn is serious about turning this team around, he’ll need to empower Jones to build the staff he believes can get the job done.
This is a critical moment for the Commanders’ defense. The pieces aren’t perfect, but there’s talent to work with - especially up front. The challenge now is getting the right coaches in place to maximize that talent and build a defense that can actually dictate games, not just react to them.
Jones has climbed the coaching ladder the hard way, grinding through college ranks and NFL assistant roles to earn this opportunity. He’s not about to let it slip through his fingers. His early moves suggest a coach who knows exactly what he wants - and more importantly, what this defense needs.
Change is coming to Washington. And if Jones gets it right, the Commanders' defense might finally start looking like a unit that can carry its weight again.