New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale Resigns; Potential 2024 Landing Spots

New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has chosen to resign from the organization, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

Martindale has been the defensive coordinator for the Giants since 2022. His resignation comes just hours after the firing linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins. Both were close confidants of Martindale.

Head coach Brian Daboll said he expected both of his coordinators to come back just hours before Martindale’s resignation, according to an article from the New York Post.

“My expectation is Wink and Kafka will both be back,’’ Daboll said. “But there’s still conversations that are gonna be had.’’

Martindale’s relationship with Daboll is reportedly a factor in his decision to resign, according to ESPN NFL reporter Jordan Ranaan.

The New York Giants defense was not elite, but was their strong suit this season

The New York Giants did not win a lot of football games this season, but when they did it was often on the back of their defense. In their six wins this season, the Giants allowed 15.5 points per game.

The Giants defense was by no means elite, but it was better than their offense. Their offense was 30th in scoring and 29th in total offense. Their defense was 26th in scoring and 27th in total defense.

Martindale’s impact goes beyond statistics as linebacker Bobby Okereke praised the coach and gave a persuasive argument regarding his potential return in an article from Big Blue View.

“Wink is a phenomenal leader,” said Okereke, who signed with the Giants as a free agent last offseason. “Even above a football coach, he’s a great human being. He really knows how to bring a group of guys together. And, we talk about competitive spirit all the time, but it really starts with Wink. He has that fire, he has that passion that makes an elite football coach. So every day in practice, every game we’re all excited and fired up to go to war for him. So we love him as a coach. We love him as a person, and I really just feel blessed to come here and be, be under him.”

Okereke credited the defensive turnaround over the final six games to Martindale.

“That just speaks to Wink. He’s a legendary coach,” Okereke said. “He’s seen the top of the mountain, and he just coached with so much wisdom. He really held us accountable towards the end of the season to embrace adversity, whether, it’s going out there and special teams not playing well, offense not playing well, even if we’re not playing well. Just to really kind of have that back against the wall mentality. And that’s all starts from the top.”

New York Giants former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale will have options

Martindale is a coach that is well-respected around the league, and he will have no trouble finding a job after leaving the Giants. His two most recent opponents spoke highly about his scheme.

Wink Martindale is resigning as defensive coordinator of the Giants, per source. His relationship with Brian Daboll a big part of the divorce.

Martindale should have options elsewhere. The Giants two most recent opponents, the Rams and Eagles, spoke glowingly of his scheme.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 8, 2024

Martindale was a part of the Baltimore Ravens team that won the Super Bowl in 2012, and he was also their defensive coordinator from 2018-2021. Fans around the league are already clamoring for Martindale to join their team.

Wonder if Wink Martindale wants a job and can start today.

Eagles defense literally can’t get worse.#Eagles

— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) January 8, 2024

Wink Martindale is a fantastic defensive coordinator. Don’t expect him to be unemployed for long

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) January 8, 2024

Go get me Wink Martindale!!! Fire Gus

— Cozy Stef 🦦 (@SLxHill) January 8, 2024

Martindale is known for his ability to create pressure in creative ways. He is also known for his ability to game plan against opposing defenses and leave quarterbacks confused.

Week 2 #Giants film: It’s as if DC Wink Martindale crafted the perfect gameplan to match what #Panthers OC Ben McAdoo (quick game, 11 personnel, etc) planned and it played out exactly per plan.
Defenders aiming to disrupt quick passing lanes + rallying to everything underneath. pic.twitter.com/j6kMHU1scV

— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) September 20, 2022

This exotic blitz during his time with the Ravens is a perfect example of how Martindale can make things happen as the defensive coordinator.

PRO BOWL MARLO pic.twitter.com/sDFBVrRjDl

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 13, 2020

Martindale does not only have the potential to become a defensive coordinator, but he has also interview for head coaching jobs in the past. A head coaching job could be in his future as there are already multiple vacancies throughout the NFL.

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