Washington Commanders: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Commanders' new defensive coordinator will bring an aggressive style and a welcome change to Washington's defense

The Washington Commanders ended their search for their new defensive coordinator, and head coach Dan Quinn showed us one key thing. We all expected a retread coach or someone he's worked with in the past, but he decided to take a swing at potential by hiring Daronte Jones from the Minnesota Vikings.

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The Commanders ranked last in total defense. They hired the coordinator from the unit that ranked 3rd

The Washington Commanders hired Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator. Jones comes from the Minnesota Vikings, where the defense ranked third in the league.

Washington Commanders News / Washington Commanders on SI / January 28

Daronte Jones Reveals His Unique Strategy for Connecting With Commanders Players

The Washington Commanders tapped into a DMV native as their next defensive coordinator after parting ways with Joe Whitt Jr. Following a difficult season, the team explored a number of candidates before filling the vacancy.

Washington Commanders News / Washington Commanders on SI / January 28

Commanders Could Get Defensive Cornerstone in NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders have the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL draft. There are a couple of options the team could take at that selection. The defensive prospects at the top of the draft are very strong, and the Commanders would be in great shape taking any of them.

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The 'Youngest Conference Champ QBs' quiz

How many of the quarterbacks in NFL history to win a Conference Championship game before turning 27 years old can you name in five minutes?

The 'Winning NFL playoff debuts' quiz

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Washington Commanders News / A to Z Sports / January 28

2026 Senior Bowl Day One Winners: Commanders key positions of need in NFL Draft have impressive first practice

The NFL Draft season has officially started with the Senior Bowl kicking off in Mobile, Alabama, as the top prospects get together to compete to boost their draft stock.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The best one-and-done playoff teams in NFL history

The best teams do not always win the Super Bowl. Sometimes, great NFL squads have failed to win a playoff game. Here are the best ones since the AFL-NFL merger to fall short of advancing in a postseason bracket.

Adam Peters News / A to Z Sports / January 28

Adam Peters kept a close eye on one position for Commanders at Senior Bowl practice, and they didn't disappoint

The Washington Commanders kicked off the draft season by hiring their new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, before the 2026 Senior Bowl, and now they can focus on watching draft prospects.

NFL News / Washington Commanders on SI / January 27

Commanders Should Target Kenneth Walker III After NFC Championship Showcase

The Washington Commanders put up a dud in 2025 and have already begun the process of turning things around by hiring a new offensive coordinator, David Blough, and a new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, the former Minnesota Vikings' passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.

NFL News / The Forkball / January 27

Commanders Turn to Daronte Jones to Lead Defensive Rebuild

The Washington Commanders are closing in on a deal to make Minnesota Vikings assistant Daronte Jones their next defensive coordinator, according to multiple league reports.

Da'Ron Payne News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 27

Commanders Expected To Keep DT Daron Payne In 2026

Commanders DT Daron Payne is heading into the final year of his four-year, $90 million deal in 2026 after registering a career-low 61 percent defensive snap share last season.

Washington Commanders News / Washington Commanders on SI / January 27

How Daronte Jones Will Impact the Commanders Defense in 2026

The Washington Commanders parted ways with both of their coordinators following the completion of the 2025 season. They quickly tabbed David Blough as the replacement for Kliff Kingsbury, but they took a long game approach when it came to hiring their next defensive coordinator.

Washington Commanders News / A to Z Sports / January 27

Commanders can help fill their biggest roster needs at the 2026 Senior Bowl by focusing on key positions

The Washington Commanders have both of their coordinators after hiring Daronte Jones as the next defensive coordinator, and now they have to fill their biggest roster needs.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Looking back at every NFL Christmas Day game

For years, Thanksgiving belonged to the NFL, but Christmas belonged to the NBA. Occasionally, an NFL game would fall on Christmas, but it was anomalous, even avoided if possible.

Dan Quinn News / NFL on ClutchPoints / January 27

Dan Quinn’s hires will put Commanders in playoffs — or make him someone else’s DC in 2027

The Washington Commanders swung and missed on a big name for their new defensive coordinator. That comes on the heels of an unproven OC hire. And head coach Dan Quinn’s coaching hires will do one of two things: put his team in the playoffs, or send him back to a defensive coordinator role with another team in 2027.

Washington Commanders News / Washington Commanders on SI / January 27

Commanders Beat Out Five Teams to Hire Defensive Coordinator Daronte Jones

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders were possibly the last team to interview new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones before agreeing to hire him earlier this week, but they weren’t the only ones.

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Washington Commanders News / Field Level Media / January 27

Reports: Commanders to tab Daronte Jones as DC

The Washington Commanders will hire Daronte Jones of the Minnesota Vikings as their next defensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported. Jones, 47, would take the place of Joe Whitt, who was fired on Jan.

Washington Commanders News / DC Sports King / January 27

Daronte Jones is the bold hire the Commanders defense needs right now

The Washington Commanders have officially made their move to revitalize a defense that struggled mightily in 2025, hiring Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator.

Dan Quinn News / A to Z Sports / January 27

Dan Quinn goes direction nobody expected as Commanders hire highly coveted defensive coordinator candidate

The Washington Commanders started their search for a new defensive coordinator after parting ways with Joe Whitt Jr as soon as the season ended, and it’s been a long, thorough process.

Washington Commanders News / Pro Football Rumors / January 26

Commanders To Hire Daronte Jones As Defensive Coordinator

The Commanders have found their new defensive coordinator. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Commanders are finalizing a deal to hire Daronte Jones as their new DC.

Washington Commanders News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 26

Commanders Hiring Daronte Jones As New Defensive Coordinator

The Washington Commanders are finalizing a deal to make Vikings DB coach Daronte Jones their new defensive coordinator, per Adam Schefter. Jones has been

Washington Commanders News / Pro Football Rumors / January 25

Commanders To Conduct DC Interview With Daronte Jones

Daronte Jones has been among the the most sought-after defensive coordinator candidates in this year’s cycle. The current Vikings defensive pass-game coordinator is now on the radar of another DC-needy team.

Breece Hall News / Gridiron Heroics / January 24

'Commanders will make a big splash': Washington predicted to land 18-career touchdown RB

The Washington Commanders are being pegged to make a blockbuster splash in free agency by signing running back Breece Hall, a move that would reshape the team’s offense.

NFL News / Pro Football Rumors / January 22

Coaching Rumors: Cardinals, Kingsbury, Webb, 49ers, Falcons, Petzing, Lions, Fraley, Jaguars, Commanders

As the Steelers and Bills’ searches get underway, the Browns, Cardinals and Raiders’ processes have shifted into the background a bit. Two candidates (Mike McDaniel, Jesse Minter) pulled out of the Cleveland search, while Kevin Stefanski exited the Vegas derby.

Washington Commanders News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 21

Commanders Interviewed Al Harris For Defensive Coordinator Position

The Washington Commanders are interviewing Bears DB coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris for their defensive coordinator position, according to Jeremy Fowler.