The Washington Commanders' defense once again came through when it counted, helping to secure a vital win over the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football.
With the NFL's undivided attention on this game, it put defensive coordinator Daronte Jones firmly on the map.
And even though he might not get a head-coaching gig during the upcoming cycle, don't be surprised if there is interest in Jones when push comes to shove.
Daronte Jones' surging Commanders defense could see head-coaching interest arrive
Brian Flores' defense is all the rage right now. The NFL is a copycat league, and the Minnesota Vikings' defensive dominance this season represents something every team wants to replicate.
It's not easy. But after working as Flores' right-hand man for three seasons before securing a promotion in Washington, Jones is doing it better than most.
The exotic pressure packages and disguised coverages have been a revelation. Washington may not have the personnel to implement this strategy as well as Flores does in Minnesota, but it is slowly coming together. And in short order, Jones has turned doubters into believers.
That matters, especially to struggling teams looking for a change in direction.
Jones is a well-respected coach. He might be a first-time NFL coordinator, but he called plays in college. Learning under Flores' exceptional guidance and high standards helped him take the next step in his coaching development, and the Commanders are benefiting.
Against the Giants, Jones piled on pressure from start to finish.
It might be seen as a feast-or-famine approach, and the Commanders did give up a couple of explosive plays. But even with the game on the line during the closing stages, the coordinator never wavered.
The pressure kept coming. And eventually, Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy wilted with a lofty air shot that cornerback Rasul Douglas expertly brought in for a game-winning interception.
Daronte Jones' reputation is soaring, and it won't go unnoticed around the NFL
And with that, Jones' reputation went through the roof under the prime-time spotlight.
The Commanders couldn't do anything to stop Jones from taking a head-coaching job if one was offered. Teams will no doubt be intrigued, and the NFL is a league of trends.
Flores looks like a prime head-coaching candidate despite his ongoing legal dispute with the NFL. But teams who don't get the chance to lure him could easily turn to Jones as the next best thing.
After all, this is what the Commanders did after their ambitious bid to appoint Flores fell flat.
It's something to think about. Perhaps one year as a coordinator won't be enough for Jones. At the same time, stranger things have happened.
Nobody, least of all Jones, will be worrying about that now.
The Commanders are focused on getting their campaign back on track, and a pivotal victory over the Giants was a good place to start. Washington also has some winnable games in the coming weeks, so head coach Dan Quinn's squad shouldn't be counted out just yet.
Jones is making his presence felt. There were slight doubts when the Commanders hired Steve Wilks to assist him over the bye week, but this already looks like a shrewd move.
His credentials are growing. If the same trend continues, inevitable interest in a top job will follow.
Getting an interview and becoming a head coach are two very different things. But the Commanders would be wise to think of contingencies if the worst-case scenario befalls them.
Hopefully, the Commanders will have Jones for at least another season, if not longer. This was the right hire, and the longer he sticks around, the better.
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