New Report Provides Detail into Wink Martindale's Resignation from Giants

Former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale had an ugly exit from the team, according to a new report.

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, with whom Daboll has a close friendship. 

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 close with the Wilkins brothers dating back to their time together in Baltimore. 

Martindale reportedly hurled a stream of angry words at Daboll before storming out of the room and the building and getting word out that he was planning to resign. On Tuesday, Martindale was spotted at Newark Airport to catch a flight to Sarasota, Florida, where he has a home.

Sitting next to Wink Martindale

Head headed to Sarasota.. let the rumors begin pic.twitter.com/UIFg8bZQ4m

— Todd Saunders (@toddsaunders) January 9, 2024

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 to finalize his official exit. 

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, according to the details in the article, appeared to try to force the Giants' hand and get them to fire him by not always following marching orders from Daboll. In getting the Giants to fire him, he would have been free to collect the remaining money on his contract and pursue other opportunities.

But with the Giants not playing along, Martindale resigned, perhaps believing that his representation might be able to work out a deal that would free him to pursue other opportunities. 

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