Jones, the Vikings’ defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, has worked with Brian Flores and has previously coached under Vance Joseph and Mike Zimmer. He also has college defensive coordinator experience at Bowie State (2005-2009) and LSU (2021).
The Commanders finished last in the NFL in team defense in 2025, yielding 384.0 yards per game. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had taken over defensive play-calling duties after Joe Whitt Jr. was fired on Jan. 6 following a 5-12 season.
Simmons, 49, serves as the Commanders’ defensive pass game coordinator and has played for the Steelers (1998-2001) and Texans (2002-2007). He has also spent time as a defensive assistant with the Panthers and Raiders, and he previously coached with Mike McCarthy in Green Bay (2011-2018).
Steelers fans were mixed about the prospect of Simmons leading their defense, with some expressing skepticism about a pass game coordinator moving into a traditional defensive coordinator role.
The Commanders reportedly missed out on top defensive coordinator targets Raheem Morris and Jonathan Gannon. Gannon, the recently fired Cardinals coach, was set for interviews with several teams, including the Commanders, with Rapoport noting his schedule—Cowboys for DC, Commanders for DC, Titans for HC—was part of a busy week.
As the Commanders navigate changes to both sides of the ball, Jones’ arrival as DC and Pittsburgh’s interest in Simmons underscore a broader reshaping of coaching leadership aimed at improving a defense that finished last in 2025.
