A finalist for the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator job is officially off the table.

According to multiple reporters, Daronte Jones, who earned two interviews for the Jets’ defensive coordinator position, has been hired by the Washington Commanders to serve as their DC.

Source: Commanders are finalizing a deal to hire Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their defensive coordinator.

Jones has been one of Brian Flores’ most trusted defensive coaches the past three seasons, and he also has coached… pic.twitter.com/SZKKFocpgO

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026

Jones, 47, has been Brian Flores’ right-hand man in Minnesota for the past few seasons and was viewed as his potential successor if Flores and the Vikings did not agree on a contract extension, which they ultimately did.

Minnesota’s defense was among the league’s most disruptive units in 2024 under Jones’ watch, finishing atop the NFL in interceptions (24) and pass deflections (95).

The former LSU DC was one of three candidates to earn a second interview for the Jets’ defensive coordinator role alongside Michigan DC Wink Martindale and Chris Harris, who served as the Jets’ interim DC for the final three games of the 2025 season.

Among the eight candidates the Jets initially interviewed, five of them remain available, including Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Green Bay Packers defensive line coach/run-game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, Harris, Martindale, and Denver Broncos defensive pass-game coordinator/assistant head coach Jim Leonhard.

Per SNY’s Connor Hughes, candidates for the role who spoke with New York came away believing that head coach Aaron Glenn, who served as the Detroit Lions’ DC from 2021-24, wants to call defensive plays in 2026 for Gang Green.

He also added that, “there is a growing belief among league circles that Chris Harris (DC) and Glenn (calling the plays) is a direction the Jets are warming up to.”

Coordinating candidates who spoke with the #Jets recently, per sources, came away from those conversations believing Aaron Glenn wanted to call the plays on defense.

There is a growing belief among league circles that Chris Harris (DC) and Glenn (calling the plays) is a… https://t.co/jFJlgQUdFD

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 27, 2026

While the Jets continue to search for their next DC, a Harris-Glenn tandem, with the latter calling plays in 2026, appears to be gaining steam.