A clear favorite is beginning to emerge in the Jets defensive coordinator search

The New York Jets’ defensive coordinator search is finally starting to heat up after a quiet few weeks. The team released its list of eight first-round interview candidates on Friday, and it already appears that a favorite has begun to emerge.

SNY's Connor Hughes has been adamant over the last few days that former Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is someone to closely monitor in the Jets' search.

Hughes was asked Saturday for an update on the Jets’ defensive coordinator situation, and he said he “keeps hearing Wink.” That came just days after he reported there was “mutual interest” between the two sides and that he’d “heard a lot of buzz on Wink.”

Hughes isn't the only Jets insider who has mentioned Martindale as a strong candidate. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported on Friday that Martindale "is the big name to keep an eye on" in the Jets' list of eight candidates.

While nothing is certain at this time, all signs seem to indicate that Martindale is the odds-on favorite to land the Jets' defensive coordinator job.

Wink Martindale has emerged as the favorite for the Jets' defensive coordinator job

The Jets officially completed their first round of virtual interviews last week with eight candidates, including the likes of Martindale, Denver Broncos assistant head coach Jim Leonhard, and Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, among others.

While Leonhard and Jones may be more attractive candidates, Martindale is easily the most recognizable name on the list. The well-traveled veteran spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens from 2018 to 2021 before taking on the same role with the Giants from 2022 to 2023.

Martindale has garnered a reputation as an aggressive, blitz-heavy defensive mind, but his fiery and sometimes abrasive personality has also landed him in hot water. Personality clashes played a direct role in his premature exits in both Baltimore and New York.

While he has the pedigree the Jets are likely looking for, it’s been a few years since Martindale coached a defense at a truly high level. His Giants unit in 2023 led the NFL in takeaways, but it also ranked 27th and 26th in yards and points allowed per game, respectively.

Martindale’s scheme began to look a bit outdated during his two-year stint as defensive coordinator at Michigan. It’s likely no coincidence that the Jets appear to be the only team willing to even bring him in for a defensive coordinator interview.

Still, Martindale would provide the Jets with a baseline level of competency and a new defensive identity — both of which are likely appealing to head coach Aaron Glenn, especially given that the team will likely struggle to attract top candidates.

Martindale and the Jets increasingly feel like a marriage of necessity, with both sides needing the other. With second in-person interviews set for this week, he appears to be the early favorite for the job.