Jan. 28, 2026, 4:04 a.m. ET

Daronte Jones has a huge task before him when he begins his new job with the Washington Commanders.

Seeing Jones has previously not been an NFL defensive coordinator, it is important that the roles and areas of responsibility Jones has experienced have prepared him for his new role as the Commanders‘ defensive coordinator.

Alec Lewis of The Athletic told “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan on Tuesday that Jones is prepared for his new position with the Commanders.

“I can recall so many training camp and OTA days of him being the vocal guy with most of the secondary,” Lewis said. “Brian Flores (Vikings DC) expects a lot. He has a very high standard. He is very direct. Working for him, you have to meet a certain bar, and he and Daronte really hit it off from the outset.”

Lewis also told of how Jones has the experience of working in different schemes and disguises implemented by Flores at Minnesota. Previously, he also worked under Mike Zimmer for the Vikings.

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“So, I think the cool thing with Daronte is he has the principles of what it would look like in a man heavy scheme from his time with Zimmer, to the different ways you can incorporate zone the past few years with Flores.”

Jones had to continually learn new schemes, working under Flores, over the last couple of seasons. Flores had learned from Bill Belichick the importance of introducing new schemes each week, so that NFL offenses are not prepared for everything they see during a game. “There is a breadth of knowledge and experience he brings, and knowing what it looks like to adapt and evolve to what you have not only on a season basis, but on a week-to-week basis too.”

There is a first time for every coordinator in the NFL. Some are ready, some are not. How does a man function when he transitions from an assistant to holding authority of an entire offense or defense and those coaches as well?

“Daronte is a very aware guy. I think he has a really good read on people. I think that is also part of the reason why people in this building (Vikings), players and coaches, have been has happy for Dorante as they have been because of the type of guy he is as much as anything else.”