Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants defensive coordinator Don ÒWinkÓ Martindale against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
NEW YORK — One step forward, two steps back.
Giants defensive coordiantor Wink Martindale has resigned, according to multiple reports.
Just hours after head coach Brian Daboll said he expected Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to return in 2024, the team announced Martindale’s decision to resign.
The veteran defensive spent the last two years as Giants defensive coordinator but saw his defense dramatically decline in 2023.
Martindale said last week that he didn’t see any reason he wouldn’t be back, and Daboll said Monday that he expected his defensive coordiantor to return.
But the two parties reportedly spent majority of the season at odds with one another, although both did their best to publicly downplay it. There were hints of the firing earlier Monday when it was reported the Giants were letting go of linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, with New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy noting that Wilkins was Martindale’s “right-hand man”.
The 60-year-old will now look for a new job on another coaching staff.
He hasn’t had a defense finish better than 17th in points per game over the last three seasons, but is one of the most respected coordinators in the league. If he wants to continue coaching, he’ll have plenty of options available.
