The Washington Commanders have their new defensive coordinator. After a painstaking search that brought in nine candidates for interviews, head coach Dan Quinn eventually landed on Daronte Jones as the man to replace Joe Whitt Jr.
Jones was a hot name in this hiring cycle. He's spoken to five teams in the last month about their defensive coordinator vacancies, but hasn't done quite enough. Quinn saw something in the progressive coach, who's thoroughly deserving of this opportunity to run his own show.
His coaching journey began in high school. Jones moved on to the college ranks, spending one season as LSU's defensive coordinator before moving to the pros. He's worked with some exceptional minds, including Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, and Mike Zimmer. He's got no NFL play-calling experience, but that doesn't mean he isn't qualified to take the leap.
This is a gamble from Quinn. He's entering a make-or-break campaign with two coordinators lacking the requisite experience in the NFL regular season. If it goes wrong, he'll pay with his job. But if it all goes well, this will quickly become a masterstroke of epic proportions.
With that being said, here are four winners and three losers from the Commanders' stunning decision to hire Jones.
Winners and losers from the Commanders' shock Daronte Jones hiring
Winner No. 1
Trey Amos - Commanders CB
Looking at Daronte Jones' previous work around the league and who he's worked under, expect the Washington Commanders to be aggressive in generating pressure consistently. This requires cornerbacks to thrive in press coverage, giving those on the front seven time to wreak havoc.
Jones comes to the Commanders on the back of a successful stint as Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator. He's gained a strong reputation for maximizing the talent at his disposal, so this appointment has the scope to benefit cornerback Trey Amos more than most.
Amos was a second-round pick last year and flashed enormous promise as all around him crumbled. His campaign ended sourly with a trip to injured reserve, but he should still be a massive part of Washington's plans moving forward.
Only Amos and Mike Sainristil are guaranteed to be back in Washington's cornerback room next season. Further reinforcements are coming, but Jones's presence and expert coaching techniques could take the former Ole Miss standout's game to even greater heights.
He's long, physical, and creates leverage effortlessly. Jones will be counting upon Amos heavily, so a legitimate breakout campaign could be in the offing once he gets the all-clear to make his return.
Loser No. 1
Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
If new Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones plans to run a similar scheme to Brian Flores, mixed in with some intricacies from Mike Zimmer and Vance Joseph, then he'll need dynamism at all three levels of the field. Unfortunately, not everyone will come along for the ride.
Jones' appointment brings Bobby Wagner's future into focus. The future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker remains a strong communicator, tackler, and blitzer. Father Time is catching up to him these days, which opposing defenses actively targeted as a weak link whenever he was isolated last season. That's a problem.
There is a chance he could bring an end to his glittering career. Analysts believe there will still be an interesting market for the Utah State product if he gives it another go-around, but Jones' scheme makes it difficult to see a scenario in which Wagner is extended.
Winner No. 2
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
If Daronte Jones' scheme won't be good news for Bobby Wagner's status, then the opposite might be true for fellow linebacker Jordan Magee. He's not as experienced, especially in terms of positional awareness, but he's got the energy and explosiveness needed to potentially carve out an important role for himself.
Fans were clamoring for Magee to get more involved over the second half of 2025, with the Commanders playing for nothing other than pride. Head coach Dan Quinn eventually relented, and the former Temple star flashed the qualities required to potentially become a starting-caliber option with a little extra refinement.
There is hard work ahead for Magee. He needs to identify run fits better. He must stop overcommitting and become more disciplined to make a bigger impact. But he's good in coverage and has the burst needed to become a blitzing force, which is precisely what Jones may need from his defensive second level.
Loser No. 2
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Looking at the defensive scheme Daronte Jones could run, there will be a need for big, hard-hitting safeties capable of making a difference both at the second level and on the back end. The coach played a significant role in Camryn Bynum's rise to prominence, and the Minnesota Vikings also had an all-time thumper in Harrison Smith to spearhead their defensive renaissance under Brian Flores.
That almost guarantees the Commanders will add to their safety options this offseason. Any new additions have the scope to impact Quan Martin more than most, and it'll be interesting to see if Jones has any use for the 2023 second-round pick heading into the final year of his rookie deal.
Martin fluffed his lines in the worst way this season. His tackling technique was abysmal, and his positional sense in coverage was even worse. His projected breakout didn't happen. The Illinois product also looks a little too small to fit into Jones' potential schematic concepts.
Winner No. 3
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Mike Sainristil is a talented player. He's a little rough around the edges, and his lack of size makes it difficult to project where the cornerback is best suited moving forward. But if there was anyone capable of nurturing his obvious skill set to become something more, it's Daronte Jones.
The Washington Commanders' new defensive coordinator has worked wonders with defensive backs throughout his coaching career. Derek Stingley Jr. was his most accomplished protégé in college, and this sterling work continued with the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Dan Quinn will be hoping this also rubs off on Sainristil.
While Sainristil's interception numbers were extremely high, he also got beaten for big plays far too often. The 2024 second-round pick is a feast-or-famine cornerback at the moment, but someone with Jones's exceptional coaching background could help refine his performance levels to be more consistent.
That would change everything, regardless of where the Commanders line Sainristil up.
Loser No. 3
Von Miller - Commanders OLB
Daronte Jones' appointment is shrouded in intrigue. The Commanders are counting on the new defensive coordinator to bring the pressure packages needed to reduce the level of comfort opposing quarterbacks experienced whenever they went up against Washington under Joe Whitt Jr.'s watch.
That will involve a major shakeup in the defensive personnel. The Commanders need fast, versatile edge rushers. They need pure pass-rushing specialists with the energy to get after it on a three-down basis. Anything less is organizational malpractice from general manager Adam Peters after head coach Dan Quinn went in this direction.
Although Von Miller has declared his desire to make a return to Washington next season, this appointment only decreases the chances. His previous credentials need no introduction, and he led the team in sacks last season with nine. At the same time, he'll be 37 years old soon, and the Commanders need some new blood to make sure Jones has everything needed to excel.
Winner No. 4
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
Even though Daronte Jones' expertise comes in the defensive backfield, Frankie Luvu could be among the biggest beneficiaries of his hiring. And this all starts by moving him back into the off-ball linebacker role that made him a second-team All-Pro in 2024.
Luvu had to spend a lot of time on the edge amid Washington's injury crisis last season. He freely admitted after the campaign that he wasn't entirely comfortable with the switch, but putting the team first was essential. Even so, the Commanders have to move him back to his preferred position, which won't go unnoticed by Jones.
Jones' background under Brian Flores, Vance Joseph, and Mike Zimmer highlights the need for Washington's defense to have a tone-setting enforcer at the defensive second level. Luvu has the physicality, instincts, and relentless work ethic to become precisely that. And this could be the key to a bounce-back campaign for the inspirational presence.