Daronte Jones was the man chosen by the Washington Commanders to lead their defense through a critical transition. Head coach Dan Quinn is taking a significant leap of faith in another inexperienced coordinator, but that leap must be accompanied by trust.
Jones will have a strategy to make short-term improvements while enabling sustainable growth. With general manager Adam Peters focusing on personnel, the coach's immediate attention turns to his staff.
A respected team insider revealed that Jones is wasting no time putting his grand plans into action.
Daronte Jones is reportedly looking for a new coach to spearhead Commanders' defensive front seven
Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic revealed that the Commanders' coaching staff under Jones remains fluid. He is reportedly looking to find someone capable of leading the defensive front seven more effectively, with a primary focus on pass-rush options, in the near future.
"The Commanders’ defensive staff remains fluid after the hiring of Daronte Jones as DC. But the team is looking to bring on someone to oversee the front seven, with a focus on improving the pass rush, per sources."Nicki Jhabvala
Washington's lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks during the two years under Joe Whitt Jr. was deeply frustrating. While blame can be placed on the additions made by Peters — centered on aging veterans who were well past their prime — this unit is in desperate need of a scheme shake-up and additional coaching methods.
Jones recognizes this, too. He's not in the business of sentiment. You need a ruthless mindset to thrive as Brian Flores' right-hand man, so he won't hesitate to make the alterations needed in pursuit of progression. He's worked exceptionally hard — literally, from the bottom up — for this opportunity. He is not planning to waste it.
More changes are coming. Jones will likely meet with the existing staff to discuss his vision before proceeding. But if prioritizing coaching reinforcements on the defensive front seven is his route forward, that puts several high-profile names on the chopping block.
Linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., defensive line coach Darryl Tapp, and assistant linebackers coach/pass-rush specialist Ryan Kerrigan could be among the names made surplus to requirements. That won't be easy for Quinn, given how important loyalty is to the head coach, but he needs to give Jones the freedom to form a staff he believes can help the Commanders thrive moving forward.
It'll be fascinating to watch things unfold, but this is no time for letting sentiment get in the way of defensive growth.