Wink Martindale's status with Giants in limbo: What we know after reports of blow-up

In late November, FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer reported tensions between New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale had left their relationship "in a bad place."

Daboll said the day after the Giants finished a 6-11 campaign he expected both of his top lieutenants, Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, to return for the 2024 season. Reports of Martindale's expected resignation followed.

By Wednesday, however, Martindale's job status became less clear. Martindale wasn't with the Giants. But he also had yet to formally file his resignation. Here is what we know and how it got to this point between Martindale and his former employer.

Reports: Wink Martindale cursed out Brian Daboll in post-season meeting

Daboll fired two of Martindale's trusted assistants on the defensive side of the ball: outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, Kevin, a defensive assistant. (Daboll also moved on from offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey.) The Wilkins brothers worked alongside Martindale with the Baltimore Ravens, and he brought them to New York to join the staff there.

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NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, was among the outlets to report that Martindale cursed out Daboll in their private meeting Monday when Daboll informed the coordinator of the head coach's decision to fire the Wilkins brothers. Martindale then stormed out of the room, slammed the door and left the Giants' facilities. On Tuesday, he was spotted at Newark-Liberty International Airport waiting for a flight to Florida.

Has Wink Martindale resigned as Giants defensive coordinator?

Not yet. At least, not formally.

There are contractual stipulations at force here. The Giants firing Martindale would result in him being owed the remaining money on his current deal, which has another year and $3 million tied to it, per the New York Post.

Martindale would forfeit that money if he resigned. But if he also wants to control his next job destination, and he can't do that while still under contract with the Giants. If a head-coaching opportunity comes along, Martindale would be free to go.

Will Giants fire Wink Martindale?

NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, meanwhile, reported Wednesday that the Giants still hope to have Martindale as their coordinator next season. The team has not begun a search for a new coordinator and does not plan to do so at the time, Garafolo reported.

How did Wink Martindale, Brian Daboll and the Giants get here?

As the Dallas Cowboys destroyed the Giants 49-17 during a Week 10 loss, broadcast cameras captured a heated exchange between Martindale and Daboll around halftime. They both downplayed the incident, but the Glazer report came out weeks later.

Players said they never saw any disagreements between the coaches in the building. But the results were worse compared to the Giants' 9-7-1 postseason campaign in 2022. The Giants finished 27th in total defense (361.7 yards per game).