"Jones has never been an NFL defensive coordinator, but he has at the college level with LSU in 2021. For the past four years, including 2020, he's been one of the Vikings' top positional assistants, working under Brian Flores for the past three. In Minnesota, Jones has been credited with developing players such as Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy through the post-rookie deal process. He leads with passion and enthusiasm, and it translates on the field."
"Jones is taking over a Commanders defense that's one of the oldest in the league. Obviously, Washington's roster will look much different by the time training camp rolls around, but eight of the team's 11 original starters were 28 or older this season. It showed. The unit was slow and lethargic, losing matchups in coverage and repeatedly missing tackles. Getting younger and faster will be one of general manager Adam Peters' top missions this offseason, but the youth movement can't happen overnight."
"For Jones, no matter what cards he is dealt, he must find a way to get his defensive group locked in. Joe Whitt Jr. was unable to accomplish this, and the improvement was only marginal when head coach Dan Quinn took over his duties himself. Far too often, Washington was undisciplined and unmotivated. That's never a recipe for success. Jones is the type of coach whose players respond to him. That will be the critical dynamic above everything else."
Daronte Jones arrives to lead the Washington Commanders' defense after serving as the Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator and previously as LSU defensive coordinator in 2021. He developed players such as Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy and leads with passion and enthusiasm that translates on the field. The Commanders defense ranked among the league's oldest and displayed slowness, missed tackles, and coverage losses. Roster turnover and a youth movement will be a priority for general manager Adam Peters but cannot happen overnight. Jones must instill discipline, energy, and player buy-in while maximizing available veterans and undervalued pieces.
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