Giants, DC Wink Martindale mutually agree to part ways

The New York Giants and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced Wednesday.

Martindale is free to sign elsewhere without restrictions, a source told ESPN. The Giants will keep the $3 million he was owed, per both parties' agreement, the source said.

A source told ESPN on Monday that Martindale is expected to resign from his position. The move came after the team fired two of his closest assistants, a move that prompted Martindale to curse coach Brian Daboll, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The New York Post reported that Martindale “said his piece, got up, slammed the door and walked out of the building” after the Giants shot outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins. Both had come with Martindale from the Baltimore Ravens, and Drew Wilkins was considered Martindale's right-hand man.

Martindale and Daboll's relationship broke down badly during the season, and a report came out in late November that they might not last the season. Martindale didn't want to come back, even though Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen left the door open during their season-ending news conference.

Martindale, 60, should have options. The Giants' last two opponents – the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles – spoke enthusiastically about his project after their matchups. Both could be looking for a defensive coordinator at the end of their respective seasons.

The Post reported that Daboll was adamant about getting rid of Drew Wilkins and, by association, Kevin Wilkins, because “there was a feeling in the building that Martindale and Drew Wilkins were creating their own fiefdom within the coaching staff, sometimes bypassing Daboll and believing they only had to answer to each other and, ultimately, become owners.”

The Giants defense under Martindale has had its ups and downs this season. It finished 27th overall, but tied for first in the NFL in turnovers created and was by far the team's best unit. ESPN Analytics ranked New York's defense 17th overall. New York's offense ranked 30th and special teams ranked 25th during a disappointing six-win campaign that followed a postseason run.

The stress that offensive struggles place on the defense has been a key factor in the fractured relationship between the coach, whose specialty is offense, and the defensive coordinator.