After Patrick Graham took a new job with the Las Vegas Raiders, the New York Giants are already getting their search for a new defensive coordinator underway this weekend.
Kicking off the interviews for the Giants will be former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale and former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Giants are conducting defensive coordinator interviews this weekend, speaking with former #Ravens DC Don “Wink” Martindale and former #Bears DC Sean Desai today, sources say. There are 4 or so others. The team now has the spot open with Patrick Graham leaving for Vegas.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2022
Martindale appears to be a strong candidate for the now-vacant role. He stepped down from his role as Ravens defensive coordinator this offseason after spending four seasons (2018-2021) with the team
Martindale was thought to be high on the list of candidates for new head coach Brian Daboll, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.
And there you go …
Don “Wink” Martindale was high on Brian Daboll’s list before the Giants settled on Patrick Graham returning. Now that Graham is gone, ‘Wink’ is a strong candidate for DC again. 👇 https://t.co/qPHb0R14ws
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) February 5, 2022
Desai was the Bears defensive coordinator in 2021 but was not retained by the team following the firing of head coach Matt Nagy. All with the Bears, he was a defensive quality control coach for six seasons (2013-2018) and a safeties coach for two seasons (2019-2020) before his promotion to defensive coordinator.
The Giants are likely to conduct a thorough search for their new defensive coordinator so expect to hear a few more names in the coming days.
