The New York Jets need a new defensive coordinator — one who aligns more with head coach Aaron Glenn’s philosophical beliefs on that side of the ball.

Glenn’s man-heavy, pressure-often structure is somewhat uncommon across most NFL circles. While some coordinators still employ an aggressive tone, most are now focused on more zone-match principles.

There is, however, one coordinator who still believes in Glenn’s old-school approach, and he remains the perfect fit for what the Jets actually need in the modern game.

His name? Michigan defensive play-caller Wink Martindale.

Martindale’s potential fit with the Jets

Initial interest between Wink Martindale and the New York Jets is mutual, according to sources. Arguably, the reason for this is his ability to effectively lead and work with young units.

His time in the college game this past year saw him accomplish that very notion.

However, some argue otherwise.

Those analysts argue that Martindale’s 3-4 scheme will take some work to mesh with Glenn’s more 4-3-laden base front. Martindale’s final year in Baltimore (league-worst pass defense) and with the New York Giants (third-worst run defense) showed how quickly his scheme can be solved.

Here’s the rub: Those very naysayers miss the key part of any legitimate defensive coordinator: It’s about the players.

Scheme is incredibly important for any unit, but if a defense lacks the required talent, it’s hard for any team to mask clear and honest weaknesses. In 2024, Martindale led Michigan’s defense to the 10th-best unit in the country and the fifth-best run-stop group.

Twenty-twenty-five saw a drop, but that also came with the clear turmoil that resulted from Sherrone Moore’s final year with the program, as well as a lack of recruitment on that side of the ball.

The Jets, meanwhile, will be able to offer Martindale an infusion of talent in free agency and several top picks in April’s NFL draft. (New York currently has over $90 million in cap space and three of the first 33 picks in the draft at its disposal.)

With an expected infusion of talent and the benefit of his high blitz rate, the New York Jets defense could transform into an improved unit in several key areas.

Could veteran Wink Martindale be enough to save the current coaching staff? That remains to be seen at this point in the offseason.

Although Aaron Glenn briefly explained what he’s looking for in his next defensive coordinator, the truth of the matter is that nobody knows which traits he values most in the man who will ultimately hold that post.