Heading into the weekend, Wink Martindale was considered the clear favorite amid the New York Jets’ search for their next defensive coordinator.
Martindale flew in on Saturday, January 24, for his in-person interview with the team. It was his second interview with the Jets for this vacant DC role.
However, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, some things have changed.
“On the Jets DC search: Wink Martindale was viewed as a top contender headed into Saturday’s meeting, but I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily a lock to get the job. Aaron Glenn is still sorting through how he wants the staff/structure to look as he revamps things, according to sources. The search is still underway, and multiple candidates are being looked at,” Rosenblatt revealed on social media.
Wink Martindale was viewed as a top contender headed into Saturday’s meeting but I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily a lock to get the job.
Aaron Glenn is still sorting through how he wants the staff/structure to look as he revamps things, according to
What the Heck Happened?
ESPN’s Rich Cimini shared a strong Martindale update on “New York GameDay” on Sunday, January 25.
“I do think they’re going to end up with Wink Martindale. He was in town yesterday for a second interview in person. I think they have had Wink at the top or near the top of their list since late December, and I would be surprised if he doesn’t end up as the guy,” Cimini told Jake Asman and former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum.
‘I would be surprised if he doesn’t end up as the guy’ … ‘I think that would be a pretty good hire for the Jets.’
Cimini strongly pushed back
On Sunday, it looked like all indications were that Wink was going to be the guy. Then, 24 hours later, suddenly, there is a shift by the Jets?
The only logical explanation is that the in-person interview didn’t go as well as some thought it would. What other reason would there be for this seismic shift in thought?
A Big Name off the Jets’ Board
The Jets spoke with eight individuals about their DC opening over Zoom for the first round of interviews.
Only six of those eight remain as options after some other moves.
Mathieu Araujo was with the Miami Dolphins when he spoke to the Jets about their DC role. However, he has since taken a job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which has removed him from the equation.
On Monday, January 26, NFL Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed that Jim O’Neil is out of the Jets’ DC sweepstakes. O’Neil signed a new deal with the Detroit Lions that’ll keep him on that staff.
After that story broke, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed that he “had heard that Jim O’Neil was viewed as a top candidate for the Jets DC Job if things fell through with Wink Martindale.”
If O’Neil was the backup plan if Wink didn’t work out, what’s the backup plan for Martindale?
That would only leave five other names in the race: Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Green Bay Packers defensive line coach and run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, Denver Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard, and interim Jets DC Chris Harris.
The fan favorite is Leonhard. He is a former Jets player and has connections to head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.
Wink Martindale Gets Bad News After Jets in Person Interview Amid DC Search