The Minnesota Vikings could be losing their Plan A option to replace defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota’s passing game coordinator and defensive back coach, Daronte Jones, continues to draw interest from other NFL teams.
On Jan. 19, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the New York Giants have requested to interview Jones for their defensive coordinator position. Furthermore, Jones has interviewed in person with the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets for their defensive coordinator positions.
Kevin Seifert of ESPN also followed up on Schefter’s report, noting that Jones is a top candidate to replace Flores as the defensive coordinator in Minnesota if Flores departs.
Minnesota Could Look at Other Options If Brian Flores Exits
Flores is exploring all his options after the Vikings’ 2025 season ended, and many assumed those options would be head coaching positions. Nonetheless, the news that he interviewed for the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator role shows that Flores is leaving no stone unturned this offseason.
As a result, the Vikings need to be prepared if Flores decides to head elsewhere, whether as a head coach or a defensive coordinator. In his mailbag article, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis believes that if Flores leaves, a potential replacement is former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
“Morris would definitely be in play,” Lewis wrote in his article published on Jan. 16. “He and O’Connell worked together with the Rams in 2021. Morris was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, who drastically improved their defense this season (from 30th in DVOA in 2024 to 15th in 2025) with the addition of Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator.
“Morris is charismatic. He has relationships with some of the Vikings’ other defensive coaches, too. The fit makes sense. But there’s one important question to consider: How much of a role did he play in the defensive improvement in Atlanta, compared to Ulbrich’s influence on the schematic shifts and play calling?”
Vikings Insider Gives Update on Daronte Jones
Moreover, Lewis also shared the latest on Jones, noting that losing both Jones and Flores would be the nightmare scenario for the Vikings. As a result, Minnesota might need to decide on its defensive coordinator position if it believes Flores will depart.
“The clear internal candidate is Daronte Jones, who has served as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach under Flores,” Lewis added. “… Last year, Jones interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. One executive participating in one of those sessions raved about Jones’ interview, saying that he believed Jones would soon become a defensive coordinator.
“But Flores isn’t the only assistant able to meet with other teams. Jones can, too. He has already interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. Subsequent head coaching hires could create more opportunities. If the Vikings are convinced they’d want Jones to replace Flores, they must manage the situation with foresight and alertness. Losing both would add even more uncertainty to an offseason full of it.”
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