How Jets ended up with Brian Duker instead of Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator

Many within the NFL community were surprised to learn on Wednesday that the New York Jets had hired Miami Dolphins passing game coordinator and secondary coach Brian Duker as their new defensive coordinator. 

Longtime coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale had been considered the favorite to land the gig leading up to a meeting with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn this past weekend. It sounds like what was said during that get-together resulted in Martindale passing on the job. 

Why talks between Jets, Wink Martindale "fell apart"

"Upon Martindale’s arrival, talking to sources close to the situation, the original plan discussed between him and Glenn changed," SNY NFL insider Connor Hughes explained on Wednesday. "The Jets head coach said he wanted to call the defensive plays. This was not something previously discussed with Martindale or other candidates the Jets touched base with. This is where a potential partnership between Martindale and the Jets fell apart, and why (Denver Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator) Jim Leonhard was never considered a realistic option." 

Glenn, who previously served as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, relieved former Jets DC Steve Wilks of his duties in December. According to ESPN stats, Gang Green finished this past regular season ranked 25th in the league with an average of 355.6 total yards allowed per game and 31st with an average of 29.6 points surrendered per contest. 

Aaron Glenn to take a hands-off approach regarding Jets offense? 

A recent report suggested that the Jets wanted to hire former Indianapolis Colts/Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator after the team parted ways with Tanner Engstrand. It appears that either Reich or a yet-to-be-hired coordinator will essentially run the Jets offense for the 2026 season. 

"In conversations with Frank Reich," Hughes added, "whom the Jets are attempting to hire as their offensive coordinator, Glenn let it be known he was looking for a 'head coach of the offense' while he turns his attention to the defense."

Nothing about the opening month of the Jets' offseason will silence those who have said it seems that Glenn is in over his head. Perhaps Duker will prove to be a positive surprise for a Jets franchise that is attempting to end the longest active postseason drought among the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS.