Defensive coordinator Martindale and Giants agree to part ways
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and the New York Giants have parted ways after coach Brian Daboll fired two of his most trusted assistant coaches.
The Giants, coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, announced the separation on Wednesday after more than a day of talks on how to work around the final year of Martindale’s contract. He was supposed to earn in the neighborhood of $3 million in 2024.
No details of the split were released. A separation agreement could limit which teams the longtime coordinator could join if he was hired elsewhere next season.
There were reports Martindale, 60, had submitted his resignation on Monday after the dismissals of outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins, brothers whom Martindale worked with in Baltimore and were hired by him after he got the Giants job. But Martindale never submitted a resignation, according to general manager Joe Schoen.
The rift between Daboll and Martindale emerged publicly in November when FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer reported their relationship had soured and Martindale might leave the team after the season. Both Daboll and Martindale denied the report. Martindale several times said he wanted to return in 2024, but last week the affable veteran acknowledged he still wanted to be an NFL head coach.
The departure of Martindale, whose defense shared the NFL lead with Baltimore in turnover differential (plus 12) but struggled against the run, means Daboll has to replace two coordinators and four assistants in the wake of injury-plagued season.
Bears to keep Eberflus, fire OC
LAKE FOREST, ILL. » The Chicago Bears are sticking with coach Matt Eberflus in 2024 after the team showed improvement over the second half of the season.
There will, however, be some big changes to his staff. The Bears fired most of their offensive assistants, including coordinator Luke Getsy after
two seasons, on Wednesday.
At 10-24, Eberflus has the thirdworst record in the history of the Bears. Only John Fox (14-34 from 2015-17) and Abe Gibron (11-30-1 from 1972-74) have a worse record.
Bills fan killed after game
MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. » Police in South Florida say a man fatally shot a 30-year-old Buffalo Bills fan during an altercation near Hard Rock Stadium after the Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins in the final regular season game.
As Dylan Brody Isaacs and his friends were returning to their vehicle after the game Sunday night, they had an altercation with the driver of another vehicle a few blocks from the stadium, Miami Gardens police said in a news release.
The driver pulled out a gun, and fired shots at Isaacs, who died at the scene, police said.
TV ratings increase 7%
NFL regular-season games averaged 17.9 million viewers, tied for the second highest since averages were first tracked in 1995.
Buoyed by increases of at least 24% in two of the five packages, the first year of the league’s new television contracts saw a total increase of
7% from last season.
Titans want to interview Pierce
HENDERSON, NEV. » The Tennessee Titans have requested an interview with Las Vegas interim coach Antonio Pierce, potentially giving the Raiders competition should they eventually offer him the full-time job.
The Titans also requested an interview with Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. The Cowboys host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the wild-card round.
Vikings GM wants QB back
EAGAN, MINN. » The arrival of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as Minnesota Vikings general manager two years ago initiated a personnel strategy he branded a “competitive rebuild,” shaped by an organization disinterest in tanking and a dire need for a younger and more financially flexible roster.
This offseason will present a pivotal point in Adofo-Mensah’s plan.
The decisions the Vikings make at the quarterback position ought to signify which direction they’re headed from here. Kirk Cousins is due for a new contract, and Adofo-Mensah confirmed the Vikings will offer him one.
“It’s certainly my intention to have him back here,” Adofo-Mensah said.