Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic noted on social media that Martindale is still among the top contenders, but not necessarily a lock. The Jets’ search is still active, with Glenn evaluating multiple candidates as he rebuilds the unit.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini floated a different read on New York GameDay, suggesting the Jets were likely to hire Martindale, a sentiment that persisted for a day. A shift in the narrative by Sunday implies the interview reception or ongoing staff planning may be influencing the latest direction.
On the roster of initial candidates, Mathieu Araujo left the process after taking a job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, reducing the pool. Additionally, Jim O’Neil is out after signing a new deal with the Detroit Lions, removing him from consideration as a backup option. With O’Neil out, five candidates remain: Ephraim Banda, DeMarcus Covington, Daronte Jones, Jim Leonhard, and interim Jets DC Chris Harris.
Among the remaining names, Jim Leonhard is widely viewed as a fan favorite due to his Jets connections and familiarity with head coach Aaron Glenn and the organization. The five-person group keeps the door open for a variety of defensive philosophies as the Jets continue to evaluate fit and long-term structure for the unit.
