Jets Rumors on Wink Martindale, DC Search to Replace Steve Wilks on Aaron Glenn's Staff

Veteran defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale is scheduled for an in-person interview for the New York Jets' vacant DC position on Saturday, according to SNY's Connor Hughes.

The Jets announced last week that they completed a virtual interview with Martindale, as well as Mathieu Araujo, Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington, Daronte Jones, Jim Leonhard, Chris Harris and Jim O'Neil.

New York's next defensive coordinator will serve under head coach Aaron Glenn and replace Steve Wilks, who was fired in December after less than one full season on the job.

Most recently, the 62-year-old Martindale served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan from 2024 to 2025. He became available following the firing of head coach Sherrone Moore in December.

With Martindale at the helm, the Michigan defense ranked 19th in the nation in points allowed per game in 2024 with 19.9, and 29th in 2025 with 20.4.

Before taking the job at Michigan, Martindale had extensive experience as an NFL DC, holding that position with the Denver Broncos in 2010, the Baltimore Ravens from 2018 to 2021 and the New York Giants from 2022 to 2023.

From 2018 to 2020, the Ravens ranked seventh or better in both total defense and scoring defense all three seasons under Martindale. That included being first in total defense and second in scoring defense in 2018.

After the Ravens dipped to 25th in total defense and 19th in scoring defense in 2021, Martindale parted ways with the organization and became the Giants' DC under Brian Daboll.

The G-Men largely struggled on defense during Martindale's two-year tenure, finishing 25th and 27th in total defense, and 17th and 26th in scoring defense.

While Martindale's track record features no shortage of peaks and valleys, he is the most experienced candidate known to have interviewed with the Jets thus far.

The Jets are coming off a nightmarish season that saw them go 3-14 and finish 25th in total defense and 31st in scoring defense.

There is little doubt that the Jets are in need of some stability after moving on from several assistants who coached under Glenn in 2025, and a longtime NFL coach like Martindale could perhaps provide that.