Ravens Rumors: Don Martindale Agrees to Contract as NFL's Highest-Paid DC

The Baltimore Ravens and defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale agreed to a new contract this week that made the 56-year-old the NFL's highest-paid person at his position.

The news was reported by ESPN's Jamison Hensley, who wrote that the deal is for three years.

Martindale was a candidate on this year's head coaching market and notably spoke with the New York Giants. New England Patriots special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach Joe Judge landed that gig, but Hensley reported the Ravens expect Martindale to again be in consideration to become a head coach next year.

Martindale became the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 2018, and the unit proceeded to allow the fewest yards in the league and the second-fewest points.

The Ravens finished fourth in yards allowed and third in scoring defense in 2019 despite massive personnel turnover that included the departures of Za'Darius Smith, C.J. Mosley, Terrell Suggs and Eric Weddle.

Martindale has been with the Ravens since 2012, when he was hired as the team's inside linebackers coach. He was promoted to replace Dean Pees, who joined the Tennessee Titans.

Martindale has worked in the NFL since 2004, when he coached inside linebackers for the Oakland Raiders. A five-year stint in Oakland preceded two years with the Denver Broncos under head coach Josh McDaniels. Martindale was the Broncos' linebackers coach in 2009 and their defensive coordinator in 2010.

Four Ravens defenders made the Pro Bowl in 2019: cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey, safety Earl Thomas III and outside linebacker Matthew Judon. Peters and Humphrey were named All-Pros.

Baltimore allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns (15) in the NFL, helped in part by an aggressive blitzing unit. Per Pro Football Reference, the Ravens blitzed at a 54.9 percent clip, by far the top mark in the league. They also ranked second in quarterback knockdowns with 59.