The Dallas Cowboys have to take a hard look in the mirror after missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and the first move was firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The departure of the defensive coordinator after just one season was not a surprise, as Jerry Jones hinted repeatedly that Eberflus would be gone at the end of the campaign, but the first name mentioned was shocking, as the Cowboys targeted current Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores.
Flores makes sense as a Cowboys target since his contract with the Vikings expired after the 2025 season. While poaching a coach that transformed Minnesota into a top-10 defense the past two seasons makes sense, Dallas may not have the best offer, as the Vikings could pay up to keep him, and Flores is set to interview with the Baltimore Ravens for their head coaching position.
With a tie to Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady from their days with the New England Patriots, Baltimore may not be the only head coaching job he could consider over the Cowboys. It requires the Cowboys to have a backup plan, and they may have found one in Vikings passing game coordinator Daronte Jones.
Daronte Jones Could Be Cowboys’ Next Best Thing If They Miss on Flores
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys have requested permission to speak with Jones, along with Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda and Denver assistant HC/passing game coordinator Jim Leonard, for their defensive coordinator opening. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also confirmed the Cowboys' interest, saying that the interview was set to take place on Friday.
While Banda and Leonard bring their own qualifications to the job, Jones could be the best choice if the Cowboys have their hearts set on Flores but are unable to convince him to come to Dallas.
Jones has worked his way through both the collegiate and professional ranks since beginning as a graduate assistant at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2001, before ultimately joining the Vikings as the team’s defensive backs coach on Kevin O’Connell’s staff in 2022. Flores joined one year later, after Ed Donatell was fired, but Jones brought an extensive history of coaching defensive backs, most notably with the Miami Dolphins in 2016-17, the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018-19, and a first stint with the Vikings on Mike Zimmer’s staff in 2020.
A bonus is that Jones served in a defensive coordinator role before with the LSU Tigers during the 2021 season. That year did not go well for LSU as they went 6-7 and ranked 70th in the country, allowing 26.5 points per game. But that team also produced five draft picks, including former Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox.
While Jones is five years older than Flores, it hasn’t stopped teams from checking in on his availability. Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post reported that the New York Jets have requested an interview with Jones, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added that Jones “would be on a very short list” to replace Flores if he were to leave for another job.
It’s part of a messy situation going on in Minnesota that could benefit the Cowboys. If the Vikings negotiate too long with Flores, Dallas could hire Jones as a coach who could help improve their ailing secondary. Even so, the Cowboys could make a better offer than the Jets and Vikings and land a piece of a defense they’ve been seeking all along.