The New York Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale are headed toward a parting of ways; that much seems certain.But that parting, news of which first surfaced on Monday afternoon, isn’t quite as simple nor official, which is why the team has yet to announce the move.
The New York Post has some explosive new details about what went down just hours after head coach Brian Daboll, in his year-end joint press conference with general manager Joe Schoen, told reporters he expected that Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka would be back despite not having had a meeting with either before making the statement.
The Post reports that when Daboll and Martindale met, Daboll informed his defensive coordinator of the staff changes he planned to make, including special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson. Daboll told Martindale that he planned to relieve outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins, of their duties.
The news didn’t sit well with Martindale, who is tight with the Wilkins brothers dating back to their time together in Baltimore. Martindale reportedly had angry words for Daboll before storming out of the room and the building.
On Tuesday, Martindale was spotted at Newark Airport to catch a flight to Sarasota, Florida, where he has a home after word began to spread about his intention to resign.
Martindale’s resignation isn’t as cut and dried, however. He has one year remaining on his contract, and he would likely have to forfeit any money owed to him for 2024. The Giants could also block Martindale from pursuing employment elsewhere for the 2024 campaign, even going so far as to seek compensation in the form of draft picks via trade of Martindale’s contract to another team.
Multiple reports have also stated that the Giants have been unable to reach Martindale since he left the facility.
The mess came to light weeks ago when a FOX pregame report by NFL insider Jay Glazer shed light on some growing friction between Daboll and Martindale, friction that was reportedly so bad that Glazer pondered if a parting of the ways during the season would ensue.
But the Giants returned from their bye week with the staff in place, as Daboll, who was bothered by the report, and Martindale did their best to douse the fires surrounding their relationship. Daboll even presented Martindale with a game ball after the Giants defeated the New England Patriots before the bye week.
Despite Daboll’s wanting Martindale to stay and despite Martindale’s claims to the media that he hoped to stay, Martindale’s departure has led to the Giants, who already have some major holes to address both on the staff and among the roster, with another glaring one.
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