Don Martindale will not lead the Ravens’ defense for a fifth season in 2022. The sides agreed to part ways Friday, making for an unexpected development.
The Ravens regressed defensively this season, dropping to 25th in yards allowed, but the team dealt with injuries throughout. Martindale had previously surfaced on the HC interview circuit, meeting with the Giants in 2020. The veteran defensive leader has not been connected to any jobs yet this cycle.
“After several productive conversations, Don and I have agreed to move forward in separate directions,” John Harbaugh said Friday. “Don has been a major contributor to the success of our defense since 2012, and especially since he became defensive coordinator four years ago. He has done a great job. Now it’s time to pursue other opportunities. Sometimes the moment comes, and it’s the right time.”
One year remained on Martindale’s contract. The Ravens had extended their DC in 2020. The 58-year-old assistant stands to be an intriguing commodity on the market, as several teams hire new coaches ahead of staff retools. He joins Vic Fangio and Mike Zimmer as proven defensive coordinators in coaching free agency.
Martindale has been a coordinator for two teams, also serving as the Broncos’ DC during a poor 2010 season. He revamped his reputation with the Ravens. Baltimore ranked as a top-10 defense from 2018-20, with Martindale’s units helping the team’s Lamar Jackson transition result in three straight playoff trips. Prior to being promoted to replace Dean Pees as Baltimore’s DC, Martindale headed up the team’s linebacking corps from 2012-17. The first of those seasons ended with the team’s second Super Bowl win.
Now do Roman
He should’ve been the one gone, all of our D fence players were hurt all bro!
He’ll be fine. Now he can go back to hosting his Game Shows.
Hey Marvin!!!
If I was the Ravens I might fire the team’s training/medical staff.
Good. Maybe he’ll retire. That way I won’t have to hear smug announcers give him VBJ’s while calling him “Wink.” Praise be to all the gods if I never have to hear that again.
Highly doubt it. He’ll be in demand.
“VBJ’s”…lol. Never have seen that comment before. I might try to slip it past the goalie sometime soon.
Brutal business. Guy was missing half of his players
problem is when you’re missing those guys, you can’t call plays like you aren’t… can’t expect practice squad corners to be ok on an island
Should have totally gone with a 1-3-1 trapping 3 quarter court press with a shift to the right side of the infield, to kill the power play and avoid a red card. It’s the only way to compensate for so many injuries.
Seriously. They were down to 5th string or so in the secondary by the end of the season.
Uh oh, Burrow just lit a cigar in a gold Jacket Wink!
Cowboys are gonna need a DC soon. Would be interesting to see what Martindale could do there.
Seahawks calling on line 1.
Pats. Stephen Belichick is a joke. I know it’ll never happen.
Agree 100%
I was okay with him until that Bills game. Embarrassing!
Vikings – If “Wink” isn’t elsewhere before the Vikes sign a GM and a HC.
Martindale isn’t that good. His work in Denver is more indicative of his work. He just steered the ship that’s been rolling for 20 years since Marvin Lewis first implemented their defensive mentality. Harbaugh wisely got off the ride at the first opportunity. He gambles way too much, and his blitzes are never subtle.