With the end of the regular season, we have seen several coaches fired or leaving their teams. Included in that are the New York Giants and their defensive coordinator Wink Martindale mutually agreeing to part ways. This makes Wink one of the top available defensive coordinator candidates this offseason. With so many questions being asked of Joe Barry in Green Bay, could Wink Martindale become the new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator next season?
MORE: Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Candidates to Replace Joe Barry
Wink Martindale’s History of Success
Wink Martindale has been a football coach since the 1986-87 season when he was the defensive coordinator in college for Division III Defiance College. He’s been a coach in the NFL since 2004 when he was hired as the linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders. He has also coached for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens in addition to the New York Giants. Most notably, Wink was the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens for the 2012-13 season when the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Although the Giants’ defense wasn’t great this year, they were severely handcuffed by a bad offense and injuries throughout the entire roster. In addition, the Giants also had to start two rookie corners for most of the season, and most of the defense was lacking in talent. When it comes to his defenses at full strength though, his resume speaks for itself.
From 2018-20, Martindale’s Ravens defense ranked sixth once and first in points allowed twice. They also allowed the fewest total yards twice and were 10th the other season. While Baltimore’s defense did regress a bit in 2021, they were still first overall in rushing yards allowed. In New York, he took their defense from 23rd to 18th overall in just one season.
Could Wink Martindale Replace Joe Barry as the Packers’ Defensive Coordinator?
Although the Packers’ defense has been better as of late, Joe Barry holding the Chicago Bears to nine points this past week is like scoring a 50 in the NBA Dunk Contest: it used to be impressive, but it really doesn’t mean much anymore. Although the Packers made the playoffs, it’s clear they made it despite Barry, not because of him.
If Matt LaFleur is going to replace Joe Barry as Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, he will want to make sure he gets it right this time. Out of all the available defensive coordinators on the market, it’s clear Wink Martindale is the best of the best. While the two don’t have a prior relationship, he’s well respected across the league and will easily be at least on the initial list if Barry is relieved of his duties.
