Giants, Wink Martindale Mutually Agree to Part Ways Amid Messy Breakup

The New York Giants have officially mutually parted ways with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The mutual breakup comes hours after NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Giants hadn’t begun their search for a new defensive coordinator and were hoping to retain Martindale in his position, despite reports of his anticipated resignation.

Instead, Martindale’s tenure is now over after two seasons with the franchise. His departure with the organization came with chaos and turmoil. 

On Tuesday, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported that Martindale was angry with head coach Brian Daboll for firing New York’s outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins. But prior to Tuesday’s claims, rift and friction were already brewing between Martindale and Daboll in the latter half of the season. 

FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer previously reported that the 60-year-old coordinator and Daboll were in a “bad place” and that there could be a “mutual parting of ways” by the end of the ’23 campaign.

The Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale have mutually agreed to part ways.

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 10, 2024

The Giants ended this season with a 6–11 record and finished at the bottom in nearly every major defensive statistic. New York finished ‘23 at 27th in total defense (361.7 yards per game), 29th in rushing defense (132.4 yards per game), 26th in scoring defense (23.9 points per game) and 19th in pass defense (229.3 yards per game).

However, in Martindale’s first season, New York’s improved its scoring defense to 17th in the league, up from 23rd in ’21.