While the Washington Commanders try to adjust to new faces at offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, they may have to make due with the departure of another familiar face on their coaching staff at the same time.
Newly-hired Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy made a quick play to fill out his coaching staff in the 24 hours following his official opening press conference — and he might get his defensive coordinator from the Commanders.
The Steelers will interview Jason Simmons for their defensive coordinator position, “according to source(s),” ESPN’s Mark Kaboly wrote on X. “Simmons is the current defensive pass game coordinator for the Washington Commanders. Simmons coached with Mike McCarthy in Green Bay for 8 years (2011-18). Simmons (49) played four years for the Steelers (1998-2001) and Houston (2002-2007).”
Simmons, 49 years old, has also spent time as a defensive assistant with the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders.
Steelers fans were less than enthused about the prospect of Simmons leading their defense.
“Washington was 28th against the pass in 2025,” Steelers fan Tony DiCarlo wrote on X. “Major bump coming for Pittsburgh at 29th!”
“How about someone with DC experience?” Steelers fan Michael Cooper wrote on X. “A pass game coordinator does not have DC experience.”
Commanders Hired DC Away From NFC North
Simmons’ interview came just 1 day after the Commanders hired Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator.
“Source: Commanders are finalizing a deal to hire Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their defensive coordinator,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on Monday. “Jones has been one of Brian Flores’ most trusted defensive coaches the past three seasons, and he also has coached under Vance Joseph and Mike Zimmer.”
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn took over defensive play calling duties Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. on November 10. Whitt was fired after 2 seasons on January 6, and after the Commanders went 5-12 in a season they entered with Super Bowl hopes.
Jones’ Previous DC Experience on College Level
Jones spent 2 seasons as a defensive coordinator at the college level previous to being hired by the Commanders; at Bowie State from 2005 to 2009 and at LSU in 2021.
The Commanders finished dead last in the NFL in team defense in 2025, giving up an average of 384.0 yards per game.
The Commanders reportedly missed out on their top choices at defensive coordinator with recently fired NFL head coaches Raheem Morris and Jonathan Gannon.
The Commanders interviewed Gannon, the recently fired Arizona Cardinals head coach, on January 12.
“Former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has a busy week ahead,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on X. ” … his interview schedule is as follows: Cowboys for DC (Tuesday) — Commanders for DC Thursday — Titans for HC Sunday.”
On January 21, reports surfaced the Commanders might be reaching out to Morriis, who was fired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on January 6.
“Raheem Morris is waiting out head coaching chances — he’s involved in Arizona search — but is expected to have multiple defensive coordinator looks should he not get a head job, per sources,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on X on Wednesday, January 21. “Morris has close ties to Kyle Shanahan (SF), Matt LaFleur (GB) and Dan Quinn (WSH).”
AFC Playoff Team Makes Move for Commanders Assistant Coach