The New York Jets could go big-name hunting to find their next defensive coordinator.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote, “One possibility is former Michigan DC and longtime NFL assistant Wink Martindale, whose defenses are known for takeaways — a major issue for the Jets.”
Don “Wink” Martindale, 62, has been coaching football since 1986. He has been the Michigan DC over the last two years, but that coaching staff just underwent massive changes this offseason.
Wink Would Be a Proven Commodity for the Jets
Martindale has 16 years of experience as a defensive coordinator at both the collegiate and NFL levels.
“In his first year with the program in 2024, U-M ranked 10th nationally in total defense and in defensive SP+. The Wolverines were top-25 in seven statistical categories, highlighted by a No. 5-ranked rushing defense that kept eight teams under 100 yards. The defense rose to the challenge down the stretch, allowing just six total second-half points across the final four games,” Michigan wrote in Martindale’s bio.
Here are all the Wolverines that Wink helped transition from his college defense to the NFL.
That group includes: defensive tackle Mason Graham, defensive back Will Johnson, defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, defensive end Josaiah Stewart, defensive end Jaylen Harrell, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, defensive lineman Braiden McGregor, defensive back Mike Sainristil, defensive back Josh Wallace, and linebacker Junior Colson.
That grouping of players features two first-round picks, three second-round picks, and two third-round picks.
Wink Creates Turnovers, the Jets Desperately Need Help in That Department
The Jets’ defense has struggled in a number of different categories, but the primary area of weakness has been turnovers.
The last time Wink was in the NFL, he dominated that category. Wink was the DC of the New York Giants in 2023. At the end of that season, the Giants‘ defense had 18 interceptions, 13 fumbles recovered, and that overall total of 31 takeaways ranked No. 1 in the league, per ESPN.
A potential Wink hire would bring credibility to a unit that completely lost it during the 2025 season.
A different playcaller isn’t going to be enough; the Jets are going to have to undergo a massive overhaul on the defensive side of the ball.
Three defensive starters are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in March. That group includes linebacker Quincy Williams, defensive back Tony Adams, and defensive back Andre Cisco.
It seems unlikely that any of these players will return. Williams and the Jets have been at odds throughout the season. Adams’ time has seemingly come and gone. Cisco was lost for the year in the middle of the season due to injury. That complicates his immediate football future, with him being a pending free agent.
There will be players exiting stage left, and there is expected to be a bevy of new players being added to the mix. The Jets have $74 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.
When your defense is as historically inept as the Jets have been this year, it’s never one problem. The coaching has been substandard, and the talent hasn’t been good enough either.
Longtime Proven NFL, College Coach Emerges as Candidate for Jets DC Gig