The Washington Commanders bided their time before hiring a new defensive coordinator. Head coach Dan Quinn was reportedly waiting for someone with some play-calling experience. But once again, he blindsided the common consensus by going against the grain.
In a stunning move, ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed that the Commanders are hiring Daronte Jones to replace Joe Whitt Jr. This came completely out of the blue, but the Minnesota Vikings' defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator was a coveted candidate during this hiring cycle, with no fewer than five interview requests coming his way.
Ironically, this removes one of Brian Flores' most trusted associates from Minnesota. He was a high-priority target for the Commanders, but he opted to stay with the NFC North club instead. Quinn now believes he's got the next best thing, and it's a real statement of intent to bring new ideas into the building.
Commanders take another big risk by hiring Daronte Jones to replace Joe Whitt Jr.
Jones comes from outstanding stock. He worked his way up from a high school coach to the college ranks, spending one year as LSU's defensive coordinator before moving to the pros. He's also spent time under the guidance of experts, including Flores, Mike Zimmer, and Vance Joseph.
It's an intriguing hire. Still, it means Quinn is heading into a make-or-break campaign relying on two play-callers with no NFL experience in this field.
Unlike David Blough, at least Jones has been a prominent part of implementing Flores' aggressive philosophies in recent years. This is a natural step up, and it was only a matter of time before someone took the plunge.
Quinn is willing to take that chance. Entrusting young, progressive coordinators with his own job status on the line speaks volumes. He wants change. He wants some fresh strategies to spark life into his roster. Everything got a little bit stale last season. Hiring Jones and Blough could change all that.
Much like the offensive coordinator appointment, fans were probably hoping for a bigger name with proven credentials. However, that doesn't mean Jones isn't more than qualified to take this defense forward. And now, the onus will be on general manager Adam Peters to put the right personnel in place to maximize the chances of this hire going smoothly.
This may not be the end of the staffing alterations. Jones may want to bring in some people he trusts, which is understandable. He's waited a long time for his big chance, and no stone will be left unturned to capitalize on Washington's leap of faith.
It came out of nowhere, but Jones could be the answer to Washington's defensive prayers.