The Michigan DC is drawing heavy NFL interest.
We have a new name to monitor in the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator search.
According to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don ‘Wink’ Martindale is drawing interest from Cincinnati.
The Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts also have interest in the current Michigan Wolverines DC.
Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is scheduled to interview with the #Falcons today and the #Colts on Wednesday, per sources.
The #Bengals also could have interest in Martindale, who is college football’s highest-paid coordinator at Michigan. One to watch. pic.twitter.com/iV6KsWxXn0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 14, 2025
The 61-year-old Martindale last coached in the NFL with the New York Giants from 2022-23 before becoming Michigan’s DC in 2024. He served as Baltimore’s DC from 2018-21, so he’s very familiar with the AFC North.
Martindale was also the Denver Broncos DC for one season in 2010 and has several additional NFL stints as a linebackers coach, another position the Bengals are working to fill.
The Dayton native actually coached for the Cincinnati Bearcats as their special teams coordinator and linebackers coach from 1996-98, so he already has a good feel for the Ohio area.
What do you think of the Bengals potentially hiring Martindale as the next DC?