What's going on with Wink Martindale seems to be the question on every Giants fan's mind right now.
Martindale reportedly resigned as the team's defensive coordinator following a major coaching overhaul on Monday, but as of Tuesday morning he had not yet formally submitted his resignation to the team.
Adding to the speculation, Martindale, 60, was about to board a flight to Sarasota, Florida, on Tuesday morning.
X user @toddsaunders posted two photos that appear to show Martindale standing outside Gate A29 at Newark Airport, waiting to board a United Airlines flight to his home in the Sunshine State.
There have been reports this season of increasing friction between Martindale and Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
The defensive coordinator and team tried to quash the rumors, but last Thursday it sounded as if Martindale was expected to return in 2024.
“Do you think you'll come back? I don't see why you wouldn't,” Martindale told reporters last week. “After this last game, to have that conversation and sit back and reflect and take away that feeling, the emotions, the hardness, the stress of preparing every week, sit back and talk about everything. This is where I am now, so I think that's natural for any team.”
And Daboll said Monday that he is “hopeful” that Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will be added.
But that appears to have changed with Martindale's decision to let go of two of his closest confidants, outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins.
Martindale is under contract with the Giants for one more season, but the Giants could theoretically block any potential job interviews, so some negotiations could happen.
Martindale has not submitted his resignation, but a source told Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano. Martindale says, “I'm not going to stay here, I'm done.''
This decision came as a shock to just about everyone, including Giants players.
Monaka Brandon Tierney appears on WFAN with Sal Licata On Tuesday, cornerback Adoree' Jackson expressed surprise at how the situation turned out.
“I didn't see any temperament in his body language that indicated anything was wrong,” Jackson said. “For me to see that… it was shocking to see him walk away like that. “I saw them talking in our meetings and on the field, and maybe he could win an Oscar. .
“Because if there was a problem, they performed well and showed that there was no problem.”
