The New York Giants have found themselves in some headlines, but not for positive reasons, in recent days. A few coaches were let go on Black Monday, but the strained relationship between defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and the team is what most people are focused on.
After it was announced that outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and his brother, defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins, were fired, it was announced Martindale was resigning shortly after. However, none of the paperwork has been filed by Martindale to resign, as things are looking quite messy.
Despite some underwhelming performances by the Giants’ defense under Martindale, he is someone who is respected in the football community. Losing him would certainly be a sizable loss for New York, as they would need to hit a home run with his replacement.
NFL News & Rumors: Bobby Okereke, Xavier McKinney, New York Giants Updates
A big reason Martindale has the backing of some people is the work he did with some individual players. During his tenure as defensive coordinator, he helped raise the performance of a few young players who are now cornerstone pieces.
The most impressive development has been defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence has turned into an All-Pro and arguably the best player in the NFL at his position. However, even Lawrence wasn’t able to accomplish something his teammates Xavier McKinney and Bobby Okereke were able to do.
Under Martindale, McKinney and Okereke played key roles. As the starting safety, McKinney came under fire at times for comments he made, but the Giants could count on him to be in the right position no matter what was being asked of him.
The same could be said of Okereke, who was signed away from the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. While some people believed the Giants overpaid to bring him aboard, Okereke has proven to be worth every penny with the production he provided.
While both players put up impressive statistics throughout the season, the most important ability in the NFL is availability. There aren’t any players on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL who embodied that as much as McKinney and Okereke, who were the only two defenders to not miss a snap during the 2023 season.
NFL News & Rumors: Bobby Okereke, Xavier McKinney, New York Giants Updates
That is a truly impressive feat and one that deserves more attention and praise than it is getting. Being able to play in all 17 games is an achievement in itself, but never coming off the field and playing every snap? That is a totally different level of achievement.
Okereke, who signed a four-year, deal, has three years remaining on his contract and will be a centerpiece for the next defensive coordinator’s scheme. McKinney is heading into free agency but he is a player the Giants should do everything in their power to retain as he has developed into a key cog and big-time playmaker in the secondary.
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