Prior to Sunday’s win against the New England Patriots, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported that the relationship between New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale had gone south and was in “a bad place.”
“These guys are in a bad place. Bad place to the point where I don’t see them actually continuing their relationship after the season. Maybe not even during the season,” Glazer said. “Could be a mutual parting of ways.
“When I talk to people inside that organization they’re saying the tension between these two, you could feel it. And it’s just getting worse.”
It was not the first report suggesting that Martindale’s dismissal from Big Blue may be imminent. It also came on the heels of visible tension between Daboll and his defensive coordinator.
As inconsistent as the defense has been this season, it has arguably been the Giants’ best unit.
Following a 10-7 victory over the New England Patriots, Daboll dismissed the report entirely and actually cracked wise as it relates to Martindale.
“I’d say the biggest argument that Wink and I have had is who has the last piece of pizza,” Daboll said. “I got a lot of respect for Wink. He’s done a good job. I’ll leave it at that.
“I got a lot of respect for Wink. He’s a heck of a coach. I’m glad he’s on the staff.”
The report certainly comes at an interesting time given the Giants’ six takeaways in last week’s win against the Washington Commanders. After that game, Daboll had safety Xavier McKinney, who also engaged in a public back-and-forth with Martindale, break down the team.
Martindale’s defense followed that performance up with three interceptions against the Patriots Sunday — the sixth time this year the Giants’ defense has forced multiple turnovers.
After the game, Daboll did the right thing for optics and gave Martindale the game ball.
🗣 Postgame speech pic.twitter.com/SwunL7mKzp
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 26, 2023
Asked about the reported friction, Giants players also downplayed any rift between Daboll and Martindale.
“If they argue over anything, it’s probably for the last piece of food or something. I see them every day. I see their expressions, their body language, their faces. They’re always laughing, having a good time, joking. So, I don’t see it,” cornerback Adoree’ Jackson told the New York Post.
“We don’t see no hostility between them two,” linebacker Jihad Ward said. “They love each other. Those guys never have an issue. They’re real close. We love Wink to the fullest. He’s definitely family.”
One high-ranking Giants official told The Post that Glazer’s report was “complete bulls–t.”
Glazer is rarely, if ever incorrect with his reporting, so it will be interesting to see what comes of this after the season. But for now, Daboll and those inside of the Giants vehemently deny all of the claims.
