Report: Wink Martindale set for in-person interview with Jets for defensive coordinator job

Don “Wink” Martindale is set for an interview for an NFL gig on Saturday. The longtime NFL defensive coordinator, who most recently served as Sherrone Moore’s confidant on that side of the ball at Michigan, could be heading to the New York Jets, per Connor Hughes of SNY.

He shared the news via X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday morning: “BREAKING: Wink Martindale is flying to New York today where he will have an in-person interview with the #Jets for their vacant defensive coordinator job, sources tell SNYtv.”

It’d represent a bit of an ironic twist for Martindale. His last NFL gig came with the Jets’ crosstown rival in the New York Giants. While it started off with a bang, his tenure came to an unceremonious end, as the franchise and coach parted ways due to friction with then-head coach Brian Daboll.

After the controversy, Martindale returned to the college level after 21 years in the NFL. Michigan wasn’t able to capture their championship magic with him in charge of the defense and Moore leading the way, but they put together two solid seasons in Ann Arbor before it was blown to bits.

Moore was fired after a highly-publicized controversy, and Martindale wasn’t retained by new head coach Kyle Whittingham. The NFL always seemed like the more likely option as the dust settled on his future, and the Jets would represent a chance to work with a second-year head coach in Aaron Glenn still trying to find his footing.

From the beginning of their defensive coordinator search, Martindale has been viewed as the “early front-runner” for the gig, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. The two actually touched base before the season even ended.

“According to multiple league sources, Glenn [Jets head coach Aaron Glenn] actually spoke with Martindale before the end of the season, and there’s a feeling that he is the early front-runner for the job,” Rosenblatt wrote.

The Jets have had some extra time with their opening. Glenn fired Steve Wilks during the season, creating some disarray during an already lost season.

“Other candidates the Jets looked into weren’t interested in the job,” Rosenblatt later explained. “That’s what Glenn is up against as he attempts to rebuild his coaching staff, especially on the defensive side: This is not the most appealing opportunity.

“The biggest reason is the perception that Glenn could be on the hot seat with another bad season, and sought-after coordinators typically aren’t eager to take jobs if the head coach is a lame duck.”

Regardless of the perception of the gig, the Jets and Martindale might need each other more than both sides know. We’ll see if he lands the job, but all signs are pointing towards that coming to fruition, it seems.