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Hated Rival Coming for MN Vikings Coach?
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- Hated Rival Coming for MN Vikings Coach?
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
The start to this Minnesota Vikings offseason has revolved mostly around defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his multi-stop trip around the 2026 NFL coaching carousel.
On Tuesday, he will undergo his second interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers head coaching job, recently vacated by the legend Mike Tomlin resigning, following 19-straight winning seasons .
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But in the background, there's another MN Vikings defensive assistant receiving a ton of interest around the league over the last couple weeks — pass game coordinator Daronte Jones.
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Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jones has already completed defensive coordinator interviews with the Cowboys and Jets . He's also received an interview request from the New York Giants , for the same position.
And on Tuesday, the 47-year-old assistant coach added another potential interview to his offseason itinerary… except this one hits a lot closer to home.
Daronte Jones receives interview request from Green Bay Packers
There's been no word yet on when it will take place, but Jones is expected to be in Green Bay (assumedly this week) to chat with the Packers about the hated rival's newly vacant defensive coordinator position.
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. pic.twitter.com/T2OvdDNBGK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2026
Related: Insiders Argue Over Potential Schism Between Brian Flores, MN Vikings
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Green Bay is seeking a new DC, after DC Jeff Hafley was hired as the Miami Dolphins ' new head coach on Monday. So far, Jones and Eagles DB coach Christian Parker are the only potential candidates who have received interview requests from the Packers.
The are also expected to show interest in internal candidates DeMarcus Covington, Derrick Ansley. We'll see if higher profile targets surface. Raheem Morris — who's also been connected to the Minnesota Vikings — is another possible candidate. Until Brian Flores makes a decision, he can't be ruled out either.
Daronte Jones' time with the Vikings predates that of Flores. He was originally hired as the defensive backs coach, under Mike Zimmer, back in 2020. Unsurprisingly, he came to Zimmer via the Cincinnati Bengals , where the former Vikings' head coach also came from, prior to his hiring.
Daronte Jones' coaching resume includes multiple stops with MN Vikings
He then left for one season, to be the defensive coordinator at LSU. When Kevin O'Connell was hired as head coach in 2022, Jones was re-hired as defensive backs coach, under one-and-done defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.
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When Flores arrived in 2023, the MN Vikings retained Jones as their pass game coordinator, a position he has held for the past two seasons (2024-2025).
Prior to his time in Cincinnati (2018-2019), Daronte Jones spent time as Dolphins' assistant DB coach. Daronte Jones' list of collegiate stops ( per Wikipedia ), prior to being hired by the Dolphins, is quite long.
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Lenoir–Rhyne (2001) — Graduate assistant
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Nicholls State (2002) — Safeties coach
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Franklin HS(LA) (2003) — Defensive Coordinator
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Jeanerette HS(LA) (2004) — Defensive Coordinator
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Bowie State (2005–2009) — Assistant head coach & defensive Coordinator
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UCLA (2010) — Cornerbacks coach
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Montreal Alouettes (2011) — Defensive backs coach
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Hawaii (2012–2013) — Secondary coach
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Hawaii(2014) — Assistant head coach & secondary coach
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Wisconsin (2015) — Defensive backs coach
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Miami Dolphins (2016–2017) — Assistant defensive backs coach
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Cincinnati Bengals (2018–2019) — Cornerbacks coach
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Minnesota Vikings (2020) — Defensive backs coach
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LSU (2021) — Defensive coordinator
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Minnesota Vikings(2022) — Defensive backs coach
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Minnesota Vikings(2023–present) Defensive pass game coordinator
And now, if Jones is hired by any of these teams, it's very possible the Vikings lose two key pieces of the best defense they've had since Zimmer's prime.
Would Daronte take a defensive coordinator job elsewhere, before Brian Flores decides to stay or go? Can he afford not to? Probably not.
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Especially being that the Vikings haven't shown a lot interest in retaining/promoting their defensive pass game coordinator to this point, at least publicly.
Lots of potential Minnesota Vikings DC candidates coming available
Does that mean the Vikings are confident Brian Flores will return or that they really aren't that interested in keeping Jones around, regardless of whether or not Flores walks? Only time can answer these questions.
Meanwhile, there are a few intriguing external candidates the Minnesota Vikings could target as their next defensive coordinator, should B-Flo receive his dream offer from the Steelers or leave for a different job.
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Related: Details on Vikings' Offseason QB Plan Revealed
Sean McDermott was just fired by the Bills . We'll see if he gets another immediate head coaching opportunity . The Vikings have already been connected to Kevin O'Connell's former colleague in LA — recently-fired Falcons HC Raheem Morris.
One-time MN Vikings assistant coach Jonathan Gannon — who was fired from his perch as Cardinals head coach following three-straight losing seasons in Arizona (15-36 record) — would be another no-brainer target for Kwesi & Co to bring in for an interview.
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