The Dallas Cowboys' pursuit of a new defensive coordinator is taking shape. While some fans wanted Brian Flores, the fact of the matter is that they might be locked in on four candidates. Per multiple reports, Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones has emerged as a frontrunner.
According to Cowboys insider Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jones blew the Cowboys away in their meeting. However, as reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys will face some steep competition to hire him.
Daronte Jones May Choose The Packers Over The Cowboys
"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," Rapoport wrote on X.
That spells trouble for the Cowboys. Jones can now take a Packers defense featuring a true superstar in Micah Parsons and a much more stacked core. They need to fix the cornerback position, but other than that, the Packers should be just fine on defense.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, are pretty much a work in progress. Granted, they have a star in Quinnen Williams and a solid cornerback in DaRon Bland, but other than that, there are more questions than answers on that unit. Young players like Shavon Revel Jr. and DeMarvion Overshown are promising, but there are no guarantees.
Brian Flores earned plenty of praise for what he accomplished with the Vikings' defense, and rightfully so. His blitz packages have become a signature for his defenses, and he has a knack for keeping opposing quarterbacks on his feet. That being said, Jones' job cannot be overlooked.
The Cowboys need to find some consistency for their defense. They will hire their fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons, and going after Flores or anyone with head coaching aspirations would only be a temporary solution.
Going after Jones, on the other hand, makes perfect sense. He learned under Flores and still has some steps to climb on the coaching ladder, so he would likely stay in Arlington for a couple of years at the very least. That's why, now that he has other options, the Cowboys need to be quite aggressive in their pursuit. Otherwise, they might have to deal with him in another NFC powerhouse.