Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale during warm ups prior to the Houston Texans at the New York Giants in a game played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 13, 2022. The Houston Texans Face The New York Giants In A Game Played At Metlife Stadium In East Rutherford Nj On November 13 2022
Syndication: The Record
NEW YORK — Giants defensive coordinator Wink Marintdale is discussing his relationship with Brian Daboll.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since a Fox Sports report that escalating tensions between him and head coach Brian Daboll could lead to a split before the end of this season or in the offseason, Martindale reiterated his belief that the Giants are “not a stepping stone, it’s a destination.”
Asked about his relationship with Daboll, Martindale said, “We’re fine. It’s the same thing that it was last year. It’s just different because we were winning more games.”
“As far as where I’m gonna be at, no one knows that,” Martindale said Friday morning. “I say we, [my wife Laura] and myself, worked long enough and hard enough in this league that you hope you have all kinds of choices. I might be grabbing my golf clubs and go to play golf in Florida. Hopefully it’s a raise. Don’t we all want raises? Yeah, we all do. So you just don’t know what’s gonna happen. I can’t predict the future.”
“I’m still here today. Every time my key card works, it’s not like I go there and it works and I go, ‘YEAH!’” Martindale said, pumping his fist sarcastically. “I’ll be like, ‘Hey, this doesn’t work anymore.’ … I don’t make that decision. So I can’t answer that question.”
Martindale said he was first made aware of the report that came out on Nov. 26 – hours before the Giants faced the Patriots.
He added that he hates this has become a story because it has taken away from how well his players are playing.
“This game always has been and always will be about the players, and I want to keep it that way,” Martindale said. “I owe the players my composure.”
