Veteran Defensive Coordinator Interviewing For Vacant New York Jets’ Defensive Coordinator Job
In a move that feels destined for the back pages of the tabloids, former Giants Defensive Coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale is reportedly hopping on a plane to meet with the New York Jets. Yes, the same Wink Martindale who helped orchestrate a playoff run for the Giants before his tenure ended in a blaze of glory. Now, he’s a serious contender to run the defense for the crosstown rivals.
According to reports from SNY and confirmed by league sources, Martindale is flying in for an in-person interview with Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn. It seems the Jets are looking for a spark, and if there is one thing we know about Wink, it’s that he brings the heat.
Why the Jets Are Looking At Wink
The Jets’ defense needs a wake-up call. Finishing the 2025 season with zero interceptions is a statistic so bad it almost feels like a typo. It is the kind of number that keeps coaches awake at night and gets defensive staffs fired. And that’s exactly what happened; the Jets just parted ways with a laundry list of assistants, clearing the deck for a new vision.
Enter Martindale. The 62-year-old defensive guru isn’t exactly the “safe” pick, but he might be the necessary one. Glenn has reportedly had Martindale at the top of his wish list for a while. Both coaches believe in an aggressive, attack-minded style of football. Glenn needs someone who can disrupt the quarterback, and Martindale’s entire philosophy is built on making opposing QBs see ghosts.
It’s an interesting pivot for the Jets. In their last go-around, the Steve Wilks experiment crashed and burned faster than a paper airplane in a hurricane. This time, Glenn seems to be prioritizing experience. Martindale has been around the block, with successful stints in Baltimore and that rollercoaster ride with the Giants. He knows the New York media market, he knows the pressure, and he certainly knows how to dial up a blitz.
The Giants Connection
You can’t ignore the irony here. Martindale was a fan favorite with the Giants’ faithful during their 2022 playoff run. He had that defense playing above its weight class. But the relationship with Brian Daboll soured, leading to a messy divorce.
Now, with John Harbaugh taking over the Giants, some fans might have daydreamed about a reunion, given Martindale’s history with the Harbaugh coaching tree in Baltimore. But that bridge was burned, torched, and the ashes were scattered. Instead, Giants fans might have to watch their former DC prowl the sidelines at MetLife Stadium wearing the wrong shade of green.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling that the Giants might end up hiring Jim Leonhard to run their defense. If that happens, we’ll have a full-blown Freaky Friday situation in the Meadowlands: an ex-Jet calling plays for the Giants, and an ex-Giant calling plays for the Jets. You can’t write this stuff.
Will It Work?
There are valid questions about the fit. Glenn is a strong personality. Martindale is a very strong personality. Putting two “alphas” in the same room can either lead to a championship-caliber defense or a locker room implosion. But reports suggest Martindale isn’t chasing head coaching jobs the way he might have been a few years ago. He’s looking to make an impact, and the Jets offer a roster that, despite recent struggles, has talent that needs to be unlocked.
He’s not the only candidate, of course. The Jets have also kicked the tires on Chris Harris and Daronte Jones. But Martindale is the heavyweight in the room. He’s the guy with the track record, the recognizable mullet, and the aggressive playbook.
If he lands the job, get ready for a wild ride. The Jets defense will likely be chaotic, aggressive, and high-risk, high-reward. After a season with zero picks, maybe a little chaos is exactly what the doctor ordered.
