The New York Jets are in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and they’re tapping into some familiar territory - especially if you’ve been paying attention to Michigan football or the Detroit Lions in recent years.
On Friday, Jan. 16, the Jets confirmed they’ve completed virtual interviews with eight candidates for the role, including two names that will ring a bell for Wolverines fans: Wink Martindale and Jim O’Neil.
Let’s start with Martindale, who brings a deep NFL résumé and a recent college stint to the table. He spent the 2024-25 season as Michigan’s defensive coordinator, but wasn’t retained following the dismissal of head coach Sherrone Moore.
While his time in Ann Arbor was short-lived, Martindale’s pro experience is anything but. He’s held DC roles with the Denver Broncos (2010), Baltimore Ravens (2018-21), and New York Giants (2022-23).
That kind of track record - especially his time with Baltimore’s consistently tough defenses - makes him a compelling candidate for a Jets team that desperately needs a reset on that side of the ball.
Jim O’Neil is another name in the mix, currently on the Lions’ staff as a defensive assistant. His NFL journey includes stints as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2014-15) and the San Francisco 49ers (2016). And he’s no stranger to the Jets, either - O’Neil spent four seasons (2009-12) as an assistant defensive coach in New York, so he knows the building, the market, and the expectations.
Whoever lands the job will be stepping into a tough situation. The Jets are coming off a 3-14 campaign and parted ways with former DC Steve Wilks on Dec. 15, just three weeks before the regular season wrapped. The defense struggled across the board - finishing bottom 10 in both yards allowed per game (355.6) and points allowed per game (29.6).
But the most glaring stat? The Jets became the first team since 1933 - the year the NFL began officially tracking interceptions - to go an entire season without recording a single pick. That’s not just a red flag; it’s a full-blown siren.
And it wasn’t just about scheme or execution. The Jets traded away star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts before the 2025 deadline, leaving a major hole in the secondary and signaling a broader defensive rebuild. Any incoming coordinator will need to reestablish an identity, develop young talent, and find a way to generate turnovers - something that completely vanished from this unit in 2025.
There’s no quick fix here, but bringing in a seasoned voice like Martindale or O’Neil could be a step in the right direction. Both have been through the ups and downs of NFL defenses, and both have experience navigating rebuilds. For a Jets team desperate to turn the page, this next hire could be one of the most important decisions of their offseason.