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Commanders To Conduct DC Interview With Daronte Jones

By | at January 25, 2026 3:26 pm

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.

Jones will interview with the Commanders today for their D-coordinator position, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That makes Washington the fifth team to arrange an interview in this case. It also expands the list of Commanders candidates even further.

Joe Whitt was stripped of play-calling duties midway through the 2025 season. After head coach Dan Quinn made that decision, there was a widespread expectation a parting of ways would take place after the campaign ended. Whitt was indeed dismissed earlier this month.

The Commanders also elected to move from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and they looked internally by promoting David Blough to the position. An in-house move should not be expected regarding Whitt’s replacement, with only outside candidates receiving a look up to this point. Jones, 47, is the second Vikings staffer to interview with Washington, after Brian Flores met with the Commanders two weeks ago.

Jones – who was born in Capitol Heights, Maryland – has been with the Vikings for a total of five seasons across two spells with the team. He has worked in his current capacity for each of the three years Flores has been with Minnesota. It appears as though Flores will continue his D-coordinator gig for at least one more season, and if that winds up being confirmed Jones would of course be a strong candidate to be retained. The door is clearly still open to Jones receiving a coordinator opportunity, though.

Here is an updated look at where things stand regarding the Commanders’ search:

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Vikings Extend DC Brian Flores; Flores Still HC Candidate

By | at January 21, 2026 6:24 pm

While Brian Flores is currently pursuing a higher position elsewhere, the Vikings have signed him to an extension. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Flores is still considered a candidate for the open head coaching jobs in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but he’ll now have his job as defensive coordinator in Minnesota if those teams end up hiring other candidates.

Similiar to another coach on the offensive side of the ball, Mike McDaniel, Flores was getting interest around the league lately for his potential to become both a team’s new head coach or a team’s new defensive coordinator. The former Dolphins head coaches were both looking to return to another leading role, and Flores has interviewed with the Ravens and Steelers, while also being mentioned as a candidate for the job in Las Vegas.

With his contract as defensive coordinator in Minnesota coming to an end, though, other teams around the league were showing signs of interest in Flores continuing in his role as a defensive play-caller. A week ago, he interviewed for the job in Washington, so the speculation was already up in the air on whether Flores would end up being a head coach or a coordinator with a new team. With this extension in place, though, Flores’ two options are to land a head coaching job with a new team or return to the Vikings and remain as defensive coordinator.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell had recently expressed doubt that Flores would leave for the same job with another team. In reaction to the news of Flores’ extension, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifer, O’Connell told the media, “The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I’ve really valued the relationship we’ve built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment, and high standard will continue to be critical to our success.”

As Flores had continued as a candidate outside the building, the team had held discussions concerning the potential for a new deal like this with Flores, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. In his three years as defensive coordinator in Minnesota, Flores’ unit has given up the second-fewest points per game in the NFL over that span. The unit has improved each year and finished seventh in points allowed and third in yards allowed at its peak this season, anchored by a defense that gave up the league’s second-fewest passing yards per game this year.

The Ravens are starting to select finalists as they move slowly through their interview process, and the Steelers have made it known that Flores is considered to be a “serious contender” to land as their head coach, but the Vikings have been loud in their assertion that seeing him return to lead the defense was their No. 1 priority. Now, they’ve held up their end of the bargain and secured his place on next year’s staff. They’ll just have to hope that Baltimore and Pittsburgh neglect to had him a bigger opportunity.

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Coaching Rumors: Bucs, McDaniel, Morris, Bolts, Eagles, Vikings, Jags, Commanders

By | at January 20, 2026 3:00 pm

Mike McDaniel is still on the HC carousel, meeting with the Raiders on Monday and set for a second Browns interview Wednesday. He has landed on a few teams’ OC radars, including the Lions, Chargers, Eagles, Titans and Buccaneers. The Tampa gig could appeal given Todd Bowles‘ hot-seat status. The prospect of McDaniel joining the Bucs with an arrow toward succeeding Bowles is on the radar, per SI.com’s Albert Breer. The Bucs have promoted from within twice in the Jason Licht GM era, elevating OC Dirk Koetter and then giving Bowles the job after Bruce Arians‘ mid-offseason retirement in 2022. Bowles survived a collapse this season, firing OC Josh Grizzard. It would be interesting to see if he would hire an OC who could be in line to replace him down the line.

Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:

  • If the Chargers lose Jesse Minter to one of the remaining HC jobs, Jim Harbaugh may well look to promote from within. Defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale has a “very good chance” of being Minter’s DC successor, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes. Harbaugh confirmed internal staffers would be considered if Minter leaves. This would add up considering Clinkscale’s past. He worked as Michigan’s DBs coach in 2021 before being the Wolverines’ co-DC alongside Minter from 2022-23. While Minter received the DC opportunity in Los Angeles, Clinkscale came along with Harbaugh in 2024. The Chargers would need to comply with the Rooney Rule, of course, meaning one external minority would need to be interviewed before this rumored promotion becomes final.
  • Raheem Morris has interviewed for the Cardinals, Giants and Titans’ HC jobs. With New York and Tennessee moving in different directions, Morris is down to either Arizona or the coordinator level. The two-time HC not receiving a third opportunity at a top job could lead to a TV future, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Morris has come up as a possible Commanders DC option, and other teams would surely consider the former Rams coordinator. But he could be joining Mike Tomlin in the media soon.
  • Although Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman are the point men in the Eagles‘ offensive coordinator search, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes both Jeffery Lurie and his son have been sitting in on interviews. Julian Lurie has recently been named to a position within the organization, being listed as a business and football strategy staffer. Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, Philly has some big names on its radar.
  • The Vikings are moving on from offensive line coach Chris Kuper, with ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert indicating the four-year Minnesota staffer’s contract expired. Minnesota will be looking for a new O-line coach for the first time in the Kevin O’Connell era. This was Kuper’s first crack as a top O-line coach, having been an assistant OL coach with the Broncos and Dolphins previously. Kuper, 43, was an eight-year Broncos O-lineman from 2006-13.
  • Jaguars assistant O-line coach Keli’i Kekuewa is taking over as Stanford’s O-line coach, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets. Kekeuwa spent one season in Jacksonville; he will follow ex-Commanders staffer Tavita Pritchard to Palo Alto. Offensive assistant Trevor Mendleson should receive consideration to replace him, per the Florida Times-Union’s Ryan O’Halloran.
  • Pritchard’s old job as Commanders QBs coach went to D.J. Williams; Washington has since named Danny Etling as its assistant QBs coach, Zenitz adds. A Patriots seventh-round pick in 2018, Etling bounced around the NFL before being cut by the Packers in August 2023. He spent the 2024 season with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers. This will be the ex-LSU QB’s first coaching job. Etling, 31, was a college teammate of new Commanders OC David Blough at Purdue before transferring.
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Trespassing Charge Dropped For Vikings WR Jordan Addison

By | at January 20, 2026 1:03 pm

Last week, Jordan Addison was arrested and booked on a misdemeanor trespassing charge following an alleged incident in Tampa Bay. The case will not proceed, however.

Hillsborough County court records demonstrate Florida state attorney Susan Lopez has decided to drop the charge (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). The case will no longer proceed against the Vikings receiver. His $500 bond will be repaid.

“As Mr. Addison’s agent has advised, from the very outset of this incident and arrest, Mr. Addison committed no legal wrongdoing,” a statement from attorney Brian Pakett reads (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). “We are thrilled that the truth was finally revealed and this poor man’s name was not besmirched any longer. I am thankful we were able to bring this to light as quickly as possible.”

Addison’s agent informed Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo that preparations are being made for a wrongful arrest civil suit to be filed. Regardless of what happens on that front, Addison will not spend the offseason with the potential for legal or league discipline looming. The former first-rounder was suspended for the opening three games of the 2025 season due to a DUI arrest.

Over the course of his three years in Minnesota, Addison has served as a full-time starter and a productive contributor on offense. After totaling 19 touchdowns in his first two campaigns, the 23-year-old joined all other Minnesota pass-catchers in having a down year in 2025. The team will aim for improved quarterback play next season, and Addison stands to be among the main beneficiaries if that takes place.

This spring, a decision will need to be made on Addison’s fifth-year option. The Vikings can be expected to exercise it, something which will tie the Pittsburgh/USC product to a 2027 salary of $15.28MM.

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Packers Request DC Interview With Daronte Jones

By | at January 20, 2026 9:00 am

As expected, Jeff Hafley is the new head coach of the Dolphins. His departure leaves the Packers in need of a replacement defensive coordinator.

Green Bay is interested in one of the most popular candidates of this year’s cycle. An interview request has been submitted for Vikings defensive pass-game coordinator Daronte Jones, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This marks the fourth DC vacancy Jones has been connected to.

The Giants were among the teams to submit an interview request in his case. Jones has also met once with the Jets for their opening. The Cowboys have reached out to a long list of candidates in their ongoing search, and Jones is among those who have conducted a second interview with Dallas.

Jones has NFL experience dating back to 2016. His first Vikings stint took place in 2020, and it was followed by a one-and-done stint as LSU’s defensive coordinator. The 47-year-old then returned to Minnesota in 2022, one year before Brian Flores arrived as the team’s DC. Flores and Jones have each boosted their stock over the past three years. Flores remains a head coaching candidate at this time, although the Vikings have made clear their desire for retaining him.

In the event Flores were to depart, Jones would be a candidate to follow him to his new destination. Alternatively, a Vikings promotion could become something to watch for. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if Jones emerges as a target for Dallas in particular given the fact he has conducted an in-person interview. Competition from the Packers could emerge, if a Green Bay interview winds up being arranged.

Hafley enjoyed strong results during the first of his two Packers seasons in particular. The team was hit hard by injuries down the stretch in 2025, and in addition to better health next year Green Bay will hope the new D-coordinator maintains the level of play Hafley oversaw. Jones joins Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker as a Packers target for their coordinator opening.

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2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at January 20, 2026 9:00 am

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

Updated 1-25-26 (10:58pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens 

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

  • Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehired

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Frank Smith)

New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Baltimore Ravens

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)

  • Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed

New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)

New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

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Brian Flores Considered ‘Serious Contender’ For Steelers HC Job

By | at January 19, 2026 9:26 pm

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is thought to be a “serious contender” to succeed Mike Tomlin as the Steelers’ head coach, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.

Flores, 44, was one of the first coaches to receive interest from the Steelers after Tomlin’s stunning departure. He is set to visit Pittsburgh this week for an in-person interview. That meeting will be a reconnection rather than an introduction, as Flores previously served as the Steelers’ senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022.

His familiarity with the franchise could be a strong factor in his candidacy. Flores arrived in Pittsburgh in February 2022 shortly after he was fired by the Dolphins. In the interim, he launched a lawsuit against the NFL and three specific teams – the Dolphins, Giants, and Broncos – which made him a persona non grata across the league. He reached out to Tomlin for advice on getting another coaching job, and Tomlin offered him a job with the approval of owner Art Rooney II.

Flores was able to turn that lifeline into the Vikings defensive coordinator job in 2023, again with Tomlin’s support. Flores found plenty of success in Minnesota, which, along with public endorsements from Tomlin and Kevin O’Connell, has raised his standing around the league considerably.

But with the lawsuit still winding its way through the courts – including a stop at the Supreme Court – owners may be hesitant to sign off on hiring Flores for their head coaching gig. He has received plenty of interest from teams looking for defensive coordinators, but only one other interview for a head coaching vacancy (from the Ravens). But the Steelers were the first team willing to take a chance on Flores after he left Miami, so they may be willing to bring him aboard once again.

In terms of both football and culture, Flores feels like an excellent match for the Steelers. His aggressive, blitz-heavy style will fit Pittsburgh’s roster well, and his familiarity with Tomlin will help him uphold the culture established by the longtime head coach.

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Giants Request DC Interview With Daronte Jones

By | at January 19, 2026 5:40 pm

We heard this past weekend that Daronte Jones was set for a second interview for the Cowboys defensive coordinator job. Now, a division rival has entered the fray. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants have requested permission to interview the Vikings passing game coordinator for their own defensive coordinator vacancy.

Jones had a long stint coaching college football before taking his first NFL gig with the Dolphins in 2016. Since then, he’s quickly climbed the ranks, serving as a cornerbacks/DBs coach with the Bengals and later the Vikings. This is actually his second stint in Minnesota, with Jones briefly leaving the organization to serve as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2021.

After returning as the Vikings defensive backs coach in 2022, he earned a promotion to defensive pass game coordinator in 2023. He emerged as a popular defensive coordinator target during last year’s hiring cycle, interviewing for the Bears, Jaguars, and Saints gigs. He also interviewed for the Giants opening in 2024.

He ended up sticking in Minnesota for the 2025 campaign and is once again a candidate for multiple openings. The Jets interviewed him for their defensive coordinator vacancy, and the Cowboys moved him on to the second round of their search. There have also been rumblings that Jones could just earn a promotion to the role in Minnesota if Brian Flores ends up leaving.

John Harbaugh is now in the process of building out his staff with the Giants. He’s likely going to hire old friend Todd Monken to serve as his offensive coordinator, and we’ve heard that former assistant Anthony Weaver could be a candidate for the DC role. However, it seems like Harbaugh is willing to at least consider outside names as he looks to fill his staff.

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Steelers Arrange HC Interview With Brian Flores

By | at January 17, 2026 10:55 pm

Brian Flores spent one season with the Steelers prior to his current Vikings tenure. A potential return to Pittsburgh as the team’s next head coach will be something to watch for over the coming days.

Flores was one of several coaches to receive a Steelers interview request on Wednesday. To little surprise, that will result in a meeting between the parties shortly. Flores will conduct an in-person interview with Pittsburgh this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link).

After being fired by the Dolphins following the 2021 season, Flores worked under Mike Tomlin as Pittsburgh’s linebackers coach while also holding the title of senior defensive assistant. He then took over as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator; a three-year run in that capacity has helped boost Flores’ head coaching stock. The Vikings see working out a new contract in this case as their top offseason priority.

Flores’ pact recently expired, meaning Minnesota cannot block him from speaking with interested teams regarding their own DC positions. The 44-year-old has been connected to multiple coordinator and head coaching vacancies during the 2026 hiring cycle. Pittsburgh interest in particular comes as no surprise given his connection to the team.

The Steelers have gone with coaches in their 30s who have a defensive background with each of their past three HC hires. In the case of Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin, none had been an NFL head coach before they arrived in Pittsburgh. Flores checks one of those boxes as a current D-coordinator, but as a former head coach he does not entirely match the Steelers’ long-running blueprint. Owner Art Rooney II has left the door open to hiring a coach with an offensive background, but the team’s early list of candidates certainly suggests someone like Flores will at least receive strong consideration.

Via PFR’s HC Search Tracker, here is an updated look at how things stand in Pittsburgh:

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Cowboys Scheduling Second Interviews With Defensive Coordinator Candidates

By | at January 17, 2026 11:28 am

Almost two weeks since they fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the Cowboys are getting closer to hiring his replacement, Josina Anderson of The Exhibit reports. The Cowboys are setting up second interviews with the top contenders for the position.

Vikings pass game coordinator Daronte Jones will be in Dallas to meet team brass today, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has scheduled a Jan. 20 in-person visit with the Cowboys, per Anderson. While Eagles pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker hasn’t booked an in-person sitdown yet, that’s expected to take place, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN relays.

Broncos assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard was part of the Cowboys’ first round of interviews, but it’s unclear if they’ll meet with him in person. He’s ineligible for now, Archer notes. The Broncos would have to lose in the divisional round or AFC title game first. Otherwise, a Leonhard meeting would have to wait until the bye week before the Super Bowl.

Hiring Gannon, who’s on the market after winning just 15 of 51 games in Arizona, would continue the Cowboys’ recent trend of choosing ex-NFL head coaches to run their defense. Dating back to 2014, Rod Marinelli, Mike Nolan, Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer and Eberflus have held the job for various periods.

Nolan, Zimmer and Eberflus lasted just one year apiece in Dallas. The Cowboys would surely prefer more stability in the post, whether they choose Gannon or one of the other candidates.

Gannon’s also in the running to join Quinn’s staff as the Commanders’ next defensive coordinator, while the Titans will interview him for their head coaching position on Sunday. If the 43-year-old ends up in Dallas or Washington, it would give him a second chance as an NFL defensive coordinator and a return to the NFC East. He led the Eagles’ defense from 2021-22, and the unit’s elite performance helped the team win the NFC in the second of those seasons. Gannon left for Arizona after a Super Bowl LVII loss to Kansas City.

Either Jones or Parker would be a first-time professional D-coordinator in Dallas, though the former was in charge of LSU’s defense in 2021. Jones has spent the past three seasons under Vikings DC Brian Flores, whose contract expired earlier this week. The Vikings aim to re-sign Flores, but if he departs (perhaps for a head coaching job), Jones has come up as a potential successor. Jones is also on the Jets’ radar, having already interviewed for their DC role.

Parker, 34, began his pro coaching career as a defensive quality control assistant with the Packers in 2019. He spent two seasons in Green Bay before coaching Denver’s defensive backs from 2021-23. Parker just wrapped up his second year on Vic Fangio‘s defensive staff with the Eagles, who ranked No. 1 against the pass during a Super Bowl-winning 2024 campaign. The eliminated Eagles didn’t enjoy the same success in 2025, but their pass defense still ranked eighth overall. It’s now possible they’ll lose Parker to a familiar foe.

Regardless of which candidate takes over as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, owner Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer will expect far better results in 2026. The Cowboys’ offense was among the game’s best in 2025, but a poor defensive performance doomed the team to a 7-9-1 record. Eberflus’ group allowed the most points in the league and the third-most yards.

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