Jets' Aaron Glenn, Wink Martindale scheduled to talk in-person about defensive coordinator position
Former Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale during an NFL football game against the Eagles on Dec. 25, 2023 in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Rich Schultz
Aaron Glenn was scheduled to meet with Wink Martindale on Saturday about the Jets’ vacant defensive coordinator position, a league source confirmed.
This is the Jets’ second interview with Martindale and the first in-person. The former Ravens and Giants defensive coordinator is considered by many to be one of the front-runners for the open position.
Glenn and Martindale reportedly have been speaking since late in the season. Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games remaining in the 2025 season. Chris Harris finished the season as the Jets’ defensive coordinator and has interviewed for the position.
The other known candidates the Jets have interviewed for the vacancy are Broncos defensive passing game coordinator/assistant head coach Jim Leonhard, Vikings passing game coordinator Daronte Jones, Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil, Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Packers defensive line coach/running game coordinator DeMarcus Covington and Dolphins defensive backs coach Mathieu Araujo.
The Jaguars have hired Araujo, so he no longer is a candidate.
Martindale is the most experienced defensive coordinator of the group. He was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for one season (2010) and spent four years in that role for the Ravens (2018-21) and two with the Giants (2022-23). The last two years, Martindale was the defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan.
The Ravens finished in the top seven in overall defense three times under Martindale, including No. 1 in 2018. Baltimore also was a top-10 rushing defense all four seasons and top-six in passing defense three times. The Jets’ defense was bottom-five this season in points allowed, touchdowns allowed, total defense and rushing defense.
In Martindale’s two years with the Giants, the team was 25th in total defense both seasons.
The Jets are undergoing major changes on Glenn’s coaching staff after a 3-14 season.
According to a source, Glenn has fired seven coaches: quarterbacks coach Charles London, passing game coordinator Scott Turner, defensive line coach Eric Washington, linebackers coach Aaron Curry, assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly and defensive assistants Alonso Escalante and Roosevelt Williams.
Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will remain, but according to a report, his role and responsibilities might change.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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