The NFL Playoffs are wrapping up, with less than three weeks until Super Bowl 60. The Denver Broncos will face the New England Patriots in the AFC Conference Championship game. Many Jets fans have paid close attention to Denver this postseason. Broncos passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard has been a popular name among fans for New York’s next defensive coordinator. However, a frontrunner appears to be emerging for the job. Unfortunately, it’s not someone many are overly enthusiastic about.
If hired, the Jets would provide head coach Aaron Glenn with an experienced defensive mind who has several seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator across three franchises. On one hand, his tenures enjoyed some highs, including a season with a top-two defense in the league. However, his recent tenure at the University of Michigan could spell trouble if he gets the job.
Possible Front-Runner for Jets DC Job Emerging
The first season of the Glenn/Mougey regime could have gone better. After a 3-14 record, New York has a lot of work to do to improve the 31st-ranked defense in the NFL this season. They have been searching for a viable replacement for the recently fired Steve Wilks after being ousted as defensive coordinator last month. After promoting their defensive backs coach, Chris Harris, to the interim defensive coordinator position, the team didn’t fare much better. Now, the team has interviewed eight viable candidates for the job in 2026. Among these candidates are Detroit Lions defensive assistant Jim O’Neil(whom Glenn spent a season with in 2024), Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, and Miami Dolphins defensive backs coach Mathieu Araujo.
However, one growing name in conversations could be concerning. Don “Wink” Martindale had spent nearly 20 years in the NFL before becoming the University of Michigan defensive coordinator in 2024. Wink’s first job in the NFL came as the linebackers coach for the then-Oakland Raiders in 2004. He’d remain in Oakland for four seasons before accepting the same position with their division rival Denver Broncos. The following season, Martindale would be promoted as defensive coordinator in 2010. This was the midst of a disastrous 4-12 season, which cost head coach Josh McDaniels his job in week 14. That season, the Broncos defense would finish last in points and yards allowed.
Jets announced they’ve interviewed 8 candidates for their defensive coordinator opening.
Wink Martindale and Jim Leonhard head the list. pic.twitter.com/BCwqNh7Y57
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 16, 2026
Wink Martindale Finds Success in Baltimore
After leaving Denver, Martindale would venture to the East Coast to become the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens. For Martindale, it was a chance to reconnect with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. At the beginning of the millennium, Martindale worked as an assistant coach for John’s father, Jack, at Western Kentucky between 2000 and 2003. Martindale spent five seasons as the linebackers coach, including helping the Ravens reach their second Super Bowl in franchise history in 2012. Eventually, Martindale would be promoted to their defensive coordinator after Ravens DC Dean Pees left to join Mike Vrabel’s staff on the Tennessee Titans.
Upon taking the job, Martindale enjoyed early success in Baltimore. Between 2018 and 2020, the Ravens finished within the top-three of points allowed and top-ten in yards allowed. During that span, he helped guide linebacker CJ Mosley and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey to All-Pro teams. Meanwhile, the Ravens went a combined 45-13 in the regular season during that stretch. However, the 2021 season was tough for the Ravens, dealing with a plethora of injuries on both sides of the ball. The Ravens defense fell from second in points allowed to 19th. After the season, the Ravens parted ways with Martindale.
Fortunately for Martindale, he quickly found a new home, heading to the New York Giants. However, Martindale’s tenure with the Giants lasted only two seasons, after clashes with head coach Brian Daboll led to his dismissal after the 2023 season. After finishing 2022 17th in points allowed, the Giants fell to 26th in points allowed during Martindale’s last year.
Martindale returns to College
After losing the Giants job, Martindale would be hired by the University of Michigan to lead the Wolverines defense. In his first season, Michigan managed to finish 19th in points allowed in 2024. After his first season, Martindale would coach three Michigan defenders into top 100 draft picks. Defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kris Jenkins were drafted fifth and 13th, respectively, by the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. Despite missing six games due to turf toe, cornerback Will Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round. Finally, defensive end Josiah Stewart was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 90th overall pick.
After losing these talented players, the Wolverines defense would fall from within the top-20 in points allowed to 29th. This culminated in a 41-27 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl. Shortly after the loss, Martindale was relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator, weeks after Sherone Moore was fired as head coach.
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. pic.twitter.com/4tQQG1qvJn
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 24, 2026
Should the Jets hire Martindale?
Wink Martindale brings a ton of experience to the position. It’d be good to have another veteran voice on the coaching staff. However, this is what Steve Wilks was expected to bring last year, and it didn’t work. Between their cap space and four draft picks within the top 45, the roster should get better. But, it’s hard to commit to Martindale, thinking he’s grown much after his last exit in the NFL with the Giants. Ideally, they’d find a way to bring in Jim Leonhard to lead the defense.
Main Photo: [Junfu Han] – Imagn Images