Giants Rumors: Vikings' Daronte Jones Interviewed for DC Role After Martindale Exit

The New York Giants have reportedly interviewed Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones for their vacant defensive coordinator position, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

According to Pelissero, the Giants interviewed Jones in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl last week, where Jones was serving as the National team's defensive coordinator. Pelissero said that Jones impressed the Giants with his work as defensive coordinator.

Jones has been with the Vikings since 2022, joining the team as a defensive backs coach before moving into his current position this season. He was also with Minnesota as defensive backs coach in 2020, but left in 2021 to serve as LSU's defensive coordinator for a season.

The Giants are looking to replace former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who served in his position for two seasons before resigning in January. New York head coach Brian Daboll said before Martindale's resignation that he would remain the defensive coordinator next season, but Martindale had other plans.

Martindale's defenses finished in the bottom third in yards allowed in both of his seasons in New York, but the Giants succeeded in forcing turnovers. In 2023, New York had 31 takeaways, which was tied for the most in the NFL this season.

Now, the Giants will find their new defensive leader and hope for more success after a 6-11 season.

Jones has an extensive coaching history but is relatively new to the NFL ranks. He has served in various roles across the high school and college levels since 2001 and made his NFL debut in 2016 when he joined the Miami Dolphins staff as the assistant defensive backs coach. Since then, he has been with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Vikings as a defensive position coach. Now, he's looking for his first job as a defensive coordinator.

Along with Jones, the Giants have interviewed Baltimore Ravens' defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, who is taking over as the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator. New York also interviewed Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Brendan Daly and a handful of other candidates.