Giants, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale part ways after brief standoff, reported explicit meeting

Both the New York Giants and Wink Martindale blinked at the same time.

After several days of a staredown as to who would bite the bullet first, the G-Men and the defensive coordinator have parted ways, the team announced Wednesday.

Reports circulated earlier in the 2023 season that Martindale and head coach Brian Daboll weren't getting along, but neither divulged much about it. Daboll even took those reports in stride and gave Martindale a game ball after a victory over the New England Patriots.

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Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale of the New York Giants reacts during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

But things were brought to a head when Daboll fired members of the coaching staff that Martindale had been close with.

The Giants defense was a lone bright spot this season, so it wouldn't make sense for Daboll to fire Martindale. However, all signs pointed that Martindale wanted to leave — yet he would have forfeited his salary, and the Giants could have prevented him from coaching elsewhere in 2024.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and New York Giants defensive coordinator Don Martindale during the second quarter of the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the New York Giants on August 28, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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The two parties reached a compromise where they would part ways: The Giants would keep the $3 million Martindale would have made, and he could find a job for this season, ESPN reported.

Martindale cursed out Daboll during a meeting this week and took off to Florida, ignoring messages from Giants brass, according to the New York Post.

Martindale is the second coordinator to leave the team in the young offseason: Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was fired. 

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is also interviewing for the Tennessee Titans' open head-coaching job, and other rumors say he wants out of Big Blue, as well.

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale of the New York Giants in action against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Packers 24-22.  (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

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The irony is that Martindale could very well stay in the division, as defensive coordinator jobs could open up in Dallas, Philly, and D.C.

New York went 6-11 and own the sixth pick in the NFL Draft.

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