Jets begin defensive coordinator search with a notable first interview

The New York Jets are set to enter a pivotal offseason in 2026, the second one that will be spearheaded by head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.

But before the team can begin overhauling a roster that just finished with a league-worst 3–14 record, the Jets must first finalize their coaching staff changes, starting with the search for a new defensive coordinator.

On Thursday, the Jets officially put in a request for their first defensive coordinator interview, with Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones set to interview for the vacant position.

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Jones is also slated to interview with the Dallas Cowboys for their open defensive coordinator job after the team parted ways with Matt Eberflus. The Jets, meanwhile, are eyeing Jones as their potential Steve Wilks replacement.

Jets will interview Vikings assistant Daronte Jones for their defensive coordinator job

Jones, much like many members of the Jets' defensive staff, is a former cornerback who played his college ball at FCS-level Morgan State before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant all the way back in 2001.

The Maryland native steadily climbed the coaching ranks, eventually breaking into the NFL as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Miami Dolphins from 2016 to 2017. He later joined the Minnesota Vikings as their defensive backs coach in 2020 before spending a year at LSU, then returning to the Vikings’ staff in 2022.

When Brian Flores was hired as the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2023, the former Dolphins head coach promoted Jones to his current position and immediately took him under his wing as his right-hand man.

Jones is widely viewed as not only Brian Flores’ top assistant but also his likely successor should Flores land another head coaching opportunity. As a result, it’s no surprise to see his name surface in defensive coordinator searches.

The Jets are expected to interview a wide range of defensive coordinator candidates, with veteran names like Wink Martindale and Raheem Morris already gaining steam. Jones would represent a very different direction, particularly when contrasted with the team’s decision to hire Wilks just a year ago.

Even if Jones does not emerge as the final choice, his inclusion early in the process suggests the Jets are willing to explore younger candidates rather than defaulting to the safe option. That alone is an encouraging first step as the team begins reshaping its defensive identity under Aaron Glenn.