Packers Create a New Headache for the Vikings
On Monday, the Green Bay Packers lost their defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to Miami, creating a significant opening on the other side of the border. One potential target is rising Vikings coach Daronte Jones.
Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday morning, “With the Jeff Hafley hire complete, the Packers begin their search for a new DC: They’ve requested to interview Vikings Pass Game Coordinator/DBs coach Daronte Jones, sources said. Jones interviewed in-person with the Cowboys, as well as the Jets. The Giants also requested.”
Jones is generally viewed as a potential successor to Brian Flores in the Twin Cities, should he depart for a head coaching opening (or for another DC job). Flores is in the running for the head coaching openings in Baltimore and Pittsburgh and he also interviewed for the Commanders’ defensive coordinator job.
This is already the fourth opening Jones has been connected to during this hiring cycle. He has interviewed for the same position in Dallas and with the New York Jets, while the Giants are also interested.
A couple of weeks ago, when the Cowboys news broke, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on social media, “Daronte Jones would be on a very short list to replace Brian Flores as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, if Flores departs.”
Jones has been with the Vikings for quite some time, starting as the DB coach under Mike Zimmer in 2020. After one season with the young cornerbacks in the State of 10,000 Lakes, Jones was hired to coordinate the defense at LSU. Ed Orgeron was fired and Jones was not retained following his only campaign.
Fortunately for Jones, he had strong support inside Vikings headquarters. The Vikings brought him back despite the regime change, once again working as the DB coach in 2022. When Flores was hired in 2023, Jones was moved to defensive pass game coordinator. He worked under several defensive coaches and regimes, demonstrating the Vikings’ appreciation for him.
Last week, when asked about an in-house replacement for Flores, Alec Lewis of The Athletic mentioned in one of his articles, “The clear internal candidate is Daronte Jones, who has served as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach under Flores. Jones, 47, is respected by players. He knows the ins and outs of Flores’ system, and he was LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2021. He also has experience working for Mike Zimmer, Lou Anarumo and Teryl Austin, giving him a deep understanding of different schemes and teaching styles.”
The pass defense was lights out in 2025, ranking 2nd in EPA/dropback and 3rd in pass DVOA. It’s also noteworthy that the Vikings allowed only a single passing touchdown in the final eight games of the season and that was a Jared Goff prayer on fourth down with an acrobatic catch from rookie Isaac TeSlaa.
Around the league, defensive coordinators have been in unusually high demand this hiring cycle. Several teams that leaned heavily into offensive-minded coaches over the last few years are now searching for defensive stability, especially after inconsistent quarterback play across the league exposed a lot of fragile rosters.
That reality has pushed experienced defensive coaches into the spotlight, particularly those who can adapt schemes to personnel rather than forcing rigid systems. Jones fits that mold. He has worked under multiple defensive staffs, coached different position groups, and adjusted to different organizational structures; traits that tend to resonate with front offices looking for reliability rather than reinvention.
It also explains why Jones continues to pop up on interview lists across the league. When multiple teams are circling the same assistant in one cycle, it’s a sign that his reputation inside coaching circles is strong.
At this point, there’s nothing the Vikings can do but wait for a result in the Flores sweepstakes, even if that results in losing one of their top replacement candidates. With four interviews already lined up, it’s increasingly unlikely Jones returns in the same role in 2026