Shortly after Black Monday, the New York Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale “parted ways.”
There was a bit of, we’ll call it tension, between Wink and head coach Brian Daboll, which is ultimately what led to his departure. Several players and many around the league couldn’t understand why the Giants didn’t try to keep Martindale around considering the defense carried the team in 2023.
One player who has been vocal about his displeasure with Martindale’s departure is linebacker Bobby Okereke.
During Super Bowl week, Okereke joined reporters on radio row where he credited Wink with his improvement this past season.
“You know, I gotta say that being in the Wink Martindale defense, the way he coaches… Wink is a savage, he’s such a cool guy and he simplifies the game (in) a way that really just spoke to me. So I was just able to play free and fast and physical,” Okereke said, via The Charity Stripe.
When asked if he was upset with the decision to part ways, Okereke didn’t hold back.
“I’m a little (expletive). I love Wink, but Shane Bowen is a great coach. I got to meet him, talk to him, so I’m very excited for our future,” Okereke added.
Of Wink, the star linebacker said, “He just gets it. And he knows how to speak to the players and really bring a group together.”
Okereke had the best season of his career in 2023. And while he’s ‘ticked’ that Wink is gone, he’s already had productive conversations with new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
Okereke admits the new defensive scheme is very different from Martindale’s, but hopefully, that won’t impact his production next season.
