With Flores potentially departing, the Vikings eye an internal successor. Daronte Jones emerges as the leading candidate to maintain scheme continuity.
The Minnesota Vikings (9-8) are in real danger of losing their defensive coordinator Brian Flores after an impressive showing by the Minnesota defense this season. It has some wondering where the team will turn to hire a new play caller.
Nobody with much football knowledge wants Flores to leave nor his scheme to depart with him. And while many contend the Vikings need a proven defensive coordinator replacement if not Flores, there may be some validity to the notion that Minnesota could keep its defensive strategy intact with an in-house replacement.
Alec Lewis of "The Athletic" lent credence to that sentiment in an article on Friday. He discussed who the team should target internally should Flores depart for another position. Lewis writes that Daronte Jones is the name to watch for the Vikings if they were to hire someone from their current staff. He discussed his reasoning.
"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.
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."
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell at press conference after an NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and company are highly motivated to build what the Vikings already have presently on the defensive side. Watching his team allow nearly 30 points per contest had to have left a lasting impression on Jones about the current state of the Cowboys. Yet even the Cowboys' personable owner and general manager cannot recreate the familiarity that Daronte Jones has with his team in Minnesota.
It's tough to know what the rising star and potential Vikings replacement is thinking given how few opportunities we have had to hear him speak about the position and the Vikings organization. Still, one has to like Minnesota's chances to retain him if they are adequately motivated to make him the next coordinator.