The New York Jets have begun the search to find their next defensive coordinator.
If you’re expecting a quick decision, don’t hold your breath.
“They’re going to interview several candidates. This is going to be a long process. It might not be until late January before that gets done. We have to see how the dust settles with all these head coaching hires around the league. Eight openings right now, which is just staggering — 25% of the league turnover,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained on the “Flight Deck” podcast.
The Jets submitted their first interview request on Thursday, January 8. They want to talk to Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones. He has never been a defensive coordinator at the NFL level, but he has worked with brilliant people and is a key cog of a wonderful defense in Minnesota.
Jets Are Interested in a Big Name DC
While Jones is the first name they plan to speak with, he certainly won’t be the only candidate.
There has been plenty of buzz between the Jets and veteran coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
On the “Flight Plan” podcast, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed that he believes there is “mutual interest” between Martindale and the Jets for their vacant DC role.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini confirmed there is interest between the two parties.
“He is looking for an aggressive coach. Wink Martindale’s name has come up in speculation. The first I heard that, I scoffed, but then I did hear there is some level of interest in Wink Martindale. I’d be surprised if it happens, that just does not seem like a good personality mix with Aaron Glenn. You’re talking about two Type A personalities, so I’d be surprised if it happens, but I guess from what I have been told, there is interest,” Cimini explained on the “Flight Plan” podcast.
Cimini added, “I’ll believe it when I see it … I can just see the clash of egos [between Glenn and Wink].”
Insider Gives Strong Pitch for Jets to Hire Wink as New DC
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY gave an emphatic pitch for Wink Martindale as the next Jets DC.
“Wink is a culture changer on the defensive side of the ball. He is the person who, the moment he steps foot into 1 Jets Drive, he is looking at all of those defensive players in the meeting, and he is echoing very similar to what Aaron Glenn did at his introductory press conference and saying, ‘We are the New York Jets, we are built for this, you know what.’ He is saying F the haters, F the nonbelievers, we are going to show up on Sunday and we are going to kick you in your mouth and we are going to keep kicking you and we are going to drag you into the deep end and see if you can swim, and if not, we are going to laugh as you drown,” Hughes said on “Jets Final Drive.”
Hughes explained that is exactly what the Jets need.
“I think he would just be a perfect, perfect addition for this team. Now there is two big holdups: Woody Johnson is going to have to pay him because Wink is not coming cheap. So he’s going to have to meet the financial ramifications of a Wink Martindale contract. Also, the personality of Wink, we have to see how that is going to work with Aaron Glenn … If they can overcome those two things, I don’t think there is a better coordinating option than Wink for this team. I really don’t,” Hughes explained.
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