A new update in the New York Jets’ search for its next defensive coordinator.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY shared on social media that Wink Martindale “is flying to New York today, where he will have an in-person interview with the Jets for their vacant defensive coordinator job.”
Martindale Makes It to the Next Round of the Interview Process With the Jets
Last week, the Jets conducted eight virtual Zoom interviews in their search for the next DC. This week, the Jets have picked a select few names from that group to move on to the next stage of the interview process. Those individuals will particpate in-person interviews at the Jets’ facilities.
Martindale, 62, has long been considered the frontrunner for the Jets’ vacant DC gig.
Hughes revealed on “Jets Final Drive” this week that conversations have been ongoing between Martindale and Aaron Glenn since December about a possible pairing.
Wink Is 3rd Known Finalist for Jets DC Role
The Jets interviewed eight people virtually last week for the DC gig. One of those names, Mathieu Araujo, got hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars, so he has been eliminated from the race.
Of those seven remaining names, three of them have reportedly met with the Jets this week for in-person interviews.
NFL Insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed that interim DC Chris Harris did his in-person interview this week.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared that Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones did an in-person interview with the Jets this week.
Finally, Martindale is also set to do an in-person interview.
No,w it should be noted that these are the three that we know about. It doesn’t necessarily mean these are the only three that have taken place.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has made a concerted effort not to let things leak out of the building this offseason. That has restricted the flow of information and put a sense of mystery around this search.
In other words, it is a distinct possibility that the Jets have secretly pulled off in-person interviews with some of the other candidates on their initial DC list. However, that information hasn’t been made public.
Martindale Is the Most Experienced Name by Far on the List
The longtime college and NFL coordinator is by far the most experienced name on the list. That doesn’t mean he is the best candidate for this job, but it is worth noting.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini has raised some concerns about how Martindale and head coach Aaron Glenn would mesh on the same staff. Cimini described the two individuals as a pair of alpha personalities who could clash.
In the Jets’ last search for a DC, Glenn opted for experience. The Steve Wilks experiment was a massive failure. Wilks didn’t survive his first season with the green and white.
AG’s list of candidates that he has spoken with so far has a wide range of experience levels. The majority of the list has under eight years of play-calling experience; Martindale is the outlier of the group.
Insider Shares Massive Update on Wink Martindale Jets DC Race