Wink Martindale is back in the mix for an NFL defensive coordinator job, and for Jets fans, that news is stirring up plenty of debate. The longtime defensive play-caller reportedly flew into New Jersey for a second interview with the New York Jets, signaling serious interest from both sides. And make no mistake-Wink is a coach with a clear identity: attack, attack, attack.
Martindale’s reputation as one of the most aggressive defensive minds in football is well-earned. In 2023, as the Giants’ defensive coordinator, he dialed up blitzes on more than 48% of opposing dropbacks-one of the highest rates in the league.
That wasn’t a one-year anomaly either. In 2022, he sent pressure on 44.7% of plays.
Whether it was during his four-year run with the Baltimore Ravens (2018-2021) or his recent stint at Michigan (2024-2025), Wink has never strayed from his core belief: pressure breaks protection.
It’s a philosophy that echoes the Rex Ryan era-a time when the Jets played with their hair on fire defensively. That shared DNA is part of the reason why Martindale has become a fan-favorite candidate to take over as the Jets’ next defensive coordinator.
But while the nostalgia might be strong, the NFL has changed. And that’s where the conversation gets complicated.
Blitzing Isn't the Problem-Blind Commitment Is
Let’s be clear: aggressive defense isn’t outdated. It’s just more nuanced now.
Brian Flores in Minnesota ran the highest blitz rate in the league this past season (48.0%) and still finished with one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses. The Falcons weren’t far behind in pressure rate, and the Broncos-who are still alive on Championship Sunday-blitzed nearly a third of the time.
So no, sending heat doesn’t automatically mean failure. In fact, 12 teams that ranked among the league’s most blitz-happy defenses still found ways to win. The Chiefs, Dolphins, Bucs, Steelers, Cowboys, Browns-these are playoff-caliber defenses that aren’t afraid to bring extra bodies.
But the key is adaptability.
The modern NFL is built for quarterback efficiency. Completion percentages are through the roof, and yards per completion are historically low.
Offenses are built to get the ball out fast, neutralizing delayed blitzes and exotic pressure packages that used to feast in the early 2010s. Defensive coordinators now have to disguise their intentions pre-snap and confuse quarterbacks without always sending the house.
That’s where Martindale’s scheme can run into trouble. His defenses don’t just flirt with pressure-they live in it.
And when that pressure doesn’t get home? You’re leaving your corners and safeties on an island, hoping they can hold up in man coverage against increasingly sophisticated passing attacks.
The Real Risk: A Pre-Packaged Identity
The bigger concern for the Jets isn’t Martindale’s blitz rate-it’s whether the team is doubling down on a defensive identity that didn’t work the first time around.
Head coach Aaron Glenn made his intentions clear last offseason. He leaned into a specific vision for the team: Justin Fields was his quarterback, Charles London was brought in as QB coach, and the first-round pick was a mauling offensive lineman in Armand Membou. On defense, the identity was just as defined-press-man coverage, single-high safety looks, and a heavy dose of blitzing.
But that approach didn’t translate to wins. And it wasn’t just about execution-it was about predictability.
Take the Week 2 blowout loss to the Bills. The Jets rolled out single-high man coverage against Josh Allen, a quarterback who eats that look for breakfast.
There was little disguise, little adjustment, and even less game-specific planning. It was a defense stuck in its identity, unable-or unwilling-to adapt to the opponent.
That’s the danger of hiring Martindale if the goal is to reinforce a rigid system rather than evolve. Wink has a track record, and it’s a good one.
But he’s not known for reinventing himself. If Glenn wants a coordinator who’ll challenge the status quo, tailor game plans week-to-week, and evolve with the modern game, he’ll need to be sure Martindale is willing to meet him there.
What This Means for the Jets
Martindale could absolutely succeed in New York. He’s experienced, respected, and knows how to build a defense that plays with swagger. But the success of that hire will hinge on one thing: flexibility.
If Glenn is bringing him in because he sees a kindred spirit-someone who shares his aggressive mindset-that’s only half the battle. The other half is about whether that mindset can be adapted to fit the personnel, the opponent, and the moment.
The Jets don’t need to abandon aggression. They just need to avoid becoming defined by it.
In today’s NFL, the best defenses don’t just attack-they evolve. If Martindale can do that, he might just be the right man for the job.
But if he sticks to the same script, the Jets could be setting themselves up for another season of déjà vu.