Vikings’ Defensive Staff Stays Intact: Daronte Jones Returns Amid Coordinator Interest**
**Daronte Jones**, the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive backs coach, will return for a fourth consecutive season after being pursued by multiple teams for their **defensive coordinator vacancies**. The **New Orleans Saints** were the latest to show interest, interviewing Jones last week before ultimately hiring **Brandon Staley**, the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach and San Francisco 49ers assistant.
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### **Jones’ Impact on the Vikings’ Defense**
Despite facing adversity in 2024—including the tragic death of **Khyree Jackson** and a season-ending ACL injury to **Mekhi Blackmon**—Jones played a key role in the Vikings’ defensive success. Under his guidance, Minnesota’s secondary helped the team rank **seventh in EPA/pass allowed**, a testament to his coaching prowess.
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### **Continuity on Defense**
Jones isn’t the only Vikings assistant drawing league-wide interest. Defensive coordinator **Brian Flores**, who has transformed Minnesota’s defense since arriving in 2023, will also return for at least one more season. The retention of both Flores and Jones provides **stability and continuity** for a unit that has shown significant improvement.
– **2023-24 Progress**: Under Flores, the Vikings’ defense went from a liability to a strength, ranking among the league’s most improved units.
– **2025 Outlook**: With another year of development, Minnesota’s defense could become a cornerstone of a **deep playoff run**.
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### **What’s Next for the Vikings?**
The Vikings’ decision to retain their defensive coaching staff signals a commitment to building on their recent success. If Flores and Jones can continue their upward trajectory, Minnesota’s defense could emerge as one of the NFL’s elite units in 2025.
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**Final Thought**: In a league where coaching turnover is common, the Vikings’ ability to keep their defensive staff intact could be the key to unlocking their full potential.
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