The New York Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale have parted ways.
AP/EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY The New York Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale have broken up after head coach Brian Daboll removed two of his most dependable assistant coaches.
The Giants, who had just finished a dismal 6-11 season, made the announcement of their split on Wednesday following discussions for almost a day about how to accommodate Martindale’s contract’s last year. In 2024, his estimated income was to be at $3 million.
There were no disclosed details of the split. If the veteran coordinator was hired by another team for the upcoming season, his options for joining might be restricted by a separation agreement.
The 60-year-old Martindale reportedly tendered his resignation on Monday following the firing of defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, two brothers he had hired after joining the Giants and worked with in Baltimore. But general manager Joe Schoen claims Martindale never submitted a resignation.
When FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer revealed in November that Martindale might depart the organization after the season and that Daboll and Martindale’s relationship had degenerated, the schism between them became widely known. Martindale and Daboll both refuted the report. Although Martindale has stated multiple times that he intended to return in 2024, the gregarious veteran finally admitted last week that he still desired to be an NFL head coach.
Daboll must replace two coordinators and four assistants following an injury-plagued season, as Martindale’s defense struggled against the run and shared the NFL lead in turnover differential (plus 12) with Baltimore.
Monday morning, Daboll fired offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. In the afternoon, at a meeting with the defensive coaches, Daboll fired the Wilkins brothers. Jeff Nixon, the running backs coach, left to take a position at Syracuse as the offensive coordinator.
The squad made the necessary adjustments after embarrassingly losing in the postseason in 2022, its first postseason appearance since 2016. After reaching a deal with quarterback Daniel Jones after a career season, acquiring tight end Darren Waller in a trade, and convincing star running back Saquon Barkley to accept a one-year contract after being franchised, New York won a wild-card game and raised expectations. Free agency moves and the draft raised such hopes.
New York had a 2-8 start to the season due to a poor start, injuries, a lack of offense, and early defensive setbacks, and they never bounced back.
Mike Kafka, the offensive coordinator, is the sole coordinator expected to return, though Daboll may think about handling the play-calling duties.
