49ers' Jon Feliciano discusses breakup of Giants' Brian Daboll, Wink Martindale

San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jon Feliciano featured for the New York Giants during the 2022 campaign and sounded unsurprised while speaking with reporters on Tuesday that New York head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale reportedly had a falling out that resulted in Martindale leaving the Giants after this past regular season. 

"I think it’s unfortunate how things ended up," Feliciano said about the Daboll-Martindale relationship, according to Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I loved both of them as coaches. But once you get to know 'Wink' and once you get to know (Daboll), you know it could either be magic or end up how it ended up." 

Daboll and Martindale helped the Giants qualify for the playoffs and earn a road postseason win in 2022, but any "magic" shared by the two seemingly evaporated before it was reported this past November that they could part ways either shortly after or late in the season. 

While Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson previously insisted that "it was shocking to see" Martindale leave the club in January, Feliciano referenced Daboll's alleged "madman" demeanor on days of games. 

"I think they are both strong personalities," Feliciano added about Daboll and Martindale. "As you see, (Daboll) can explode, but as a guy who knows him, I know what you’re going to get. It’s not like a personal thing. It’s not anything other than (Daboll) wants to win real, real bad. And 'Wink' is a strong (personality), so I think that’s probably what happened."

The Giants ultimately hired Shane Bowen to replace Martindale. Bowen served as defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans across the past three seasons. 

Martindale suggested in December that his relationship with Daboll only appeared "different" this past season "because we were winning more games" during the 2022 campaign. 

Daboll didn't lose the trust of Giants co-owner John Mara amid the club's woes this past fall, but it's thought Mara could experience a change of heart if Big Blue loses more than the club wins next season and former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick remains available, as is expected. 

Belichick held multiple roles with the Giants during a stint that ran from 1979 through the 1990 season.