Former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was in the news again on January 24, as it was reported that he will be “flying to New York” to meet in-person with the crosstown rival New York Jets.
SNY insider Connor Hughes broke the story on X, informing: “BREAKING: Wink Martindale is flying to New York today [on January 24], where he will have an in-person interview with the Jets for their vacant defensive coordinator job, sources tell @SNYtv.”
The last time Martindale was in New York, he was a part of Brian Daboll’s staff, and things didn’t end so well. The veteran DC was very popular with a large contingent of Giants fans, helping lead the franchise to an unexpected postseason appearance and Wild Card round victory in 2022-23. Then everything came crashing down the following year.
The Giants went 6-11 in 2023-24, and there were constant reports of infighting between Daboll and Martindale. In the end, Martindale and his staff members were all let go after two seasons on the job, and the Big Blue defense has struggled ever since, leading to Daboll’s departure in 2025.
Martindale is considered a finalist for the Jets’ next DC under head coach Aaron Glenn.
Looking Back on Wink Martindale’s Giants Tenure Amid Jets News
GettyWink Martindale with the University of Michigan in 2025.
The dissolving relationship between Daboll and Martindale has sort of defined the past few seasons for the Giants, and although Big Blue is now hopefully on to bigger and better things with John Harbaugh leading the charge, it is easy to forget that Martindale was once a very respected NFL defensive coordinator.
Ironically, Martindale was a part of Harbaugh’s staff with the Baltimore Ravens, turning them into a No. 1-ranked defense in yards allowed in his first season on the job (2018). The Ravens also ranked second in points allowed that year.
Baltimore flaunted a top 10 defense under Martindale over the next couple of seasons, too, as Martindale had them humming from 2018-2020, but he was let go after a down year in 2021, with the Ravens’ defensive metrics dropping into the bottom third of the league.
Taking over in 2022 alongside Daboll, Martindale had full control of the defense, and he ran it well, considering the personnel.
The Giants were expected to be a rebuilding team in 2022, but good coaching on both sides of the football changed that. Martindale’s defense ranked 25th in yards allowed, which wasn’t great, but they held strong in the much more important “points allowed” department, ranking 17th.
Big Blue also ranked second in the NFL in fumble recoveries that season, but only placed 31st in interceptions.
The following season, despite ranking first in the NFL in takeaways, Martindale’s defense dropped to 27th in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed. There was some debate as to who was more at fault, Martindale’s defense or a regressing offense led by Daboll, hence the falling out between the two.
Giants Clear Out Coaching Staff as Defensive Coordinator Target Gets Interest Elsewhere
In case you missed the latest coaching news, the Giants and Harbaugh have been cleaning house, similar to the Jets.
“Looks like John Harbaugh will retain only two coaches off Brian Daboll’s staff: OLBs coach Charlie Bullen and TE coach Tim Kelly,” New York Post insider Paul Schwartz relayed on January 23. He added that popular “OL coach Carmen Bricillo NOT expected to be on Harbaugh’s staff.”
Although Bricillo’s departure was met with general disapproval from fans, letting Harbaugh build things his way is the right move. An offensive line coach must be in sync with his offensive coordinator, and chances are, the new OC will want their own OL coach.
As for Bullen and Kelly, the two interim coordinators appeared to impress the organization enough to retain roles within the staff. They will not continue as the defensive and offensive coordinators — their respective roles under interim HC Mike Kafka — but they will likely retake their old jobs, or take on new responsibilities.
Speaking of the Giants’ defensive coordinator search, there was related news on January 23, as ex-Harbaugh DC Zach Orr received interest from Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers.
“[The] Chargers have requested Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr to interview for their vacant DC job, per source,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on January 23. He also reminded followers that “Orr spent the past two seasons in charge of Baltimore’s defense and previously worked alongside former Chargers DC Jesse Minter.”
Orr is expected to be one of the lead candidates for the Giants’ job, although John Harbaugh seems to be waiting on the status of popular HC candidate and former Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver before making his decision.
Ex-Giants DC Wink Martindale Is ‘Flying to New York’ for Key Interview: Report