The Baltimore Ravens made the stunning decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale on Friday. It wasn’t the coaching change many Ravens fans had expected or hoped for, and now the team will have to search for his replacement.
By all accounts, the decision to move on from Martindale was a mutual one. Martindale had one year remaining on his contract, and with the Ravens opting not to offer him an extension, the two sides agreed to simply move on a year early.
While some might be quick to jump to the conclusion that Martindale’s departure is performance-based, it seems more likely that philosophical differences led to him leaving.
The Ravens will now begin their search for his replacement, and it’s likely they already have a few names in mind.
There is no shortage of intriguing and/or realistic options to supplant Martindale as the Ravens’ next defensive coordinator. This is an organization that loves to replenish internally, whether in reference to the coaching staff or front office.
That could be the route they take here, although that’s far from a guarantee. There are a couple of names who have experience with the Ravens that could be brought back as Martindale’s replacement.
There might even be a high-profile name on the market who has no history with the organization that might just intrigue the team.
Let’s take a look at six coaches who could realistically replace Wink Martindale as the Ravens’ next defensive coordinator.
6. The Ravens could hire Mike Zimmer to replace Wink Martindale
Mike Zimmer is undoubtedly one of (if not the) most respected defensive-minded coaches on the open market right now. After serving as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings for the last eight years, Zimmer is looking for work once again.
Zimmer has ample experience as a defensive coordinator, having served in that role for three different organizations from 2000 to 2013, most recently as the DC of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2008 to 2013.
Now, Zimmer doesn’t have any history with the Ravens organization. But if they come calling with an appealing offer and a large sum of money, they might just be able to convince him to hop on board.
This is probably the least realistic option, but it’s worth considering regardless.
5. The Ravens could hire Joe Cullen to replace Wink Martindale
The Ravens could explore bringing back a familiar face in the form of former defensive line coach Joe Cullen. Cullen served as the team’s defensive line coach from 2016 to 2020 before he left to be the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator under now-former head coach Urban Meyer.
With Meyer gone, Cullen’s future in Jacksonville is up in the air until the Jaguars can find a new head coach. There’s a good chance he won’t be retained, which could set up a reunion with his former team.
Cullen has defensive coordinator experience under his belt, not only at the NFL level, but during his time in college as well. And his familiarity with a large portion of the roster and current coaching staff could work in his favor.
Don’t be surprised if the Ravens call Cullen and ask him to return in some capacity, possibly as their next defensive coordinator.
4. The Ravens could promote Drew Wilkins to replace Wink Martindale
From Joe Cullen to another assistant who previously worked under Joe Cullen, one very possible internal replacement for Wink Martindale could come in the form of Drew Wilkins.
Wilkins has two things working in his favor: he’s young and has been with the organization for over a decade. Originally hired as a football video operations intern way back in 2010, Wilkins has worked his way up through the organization over the last decade-plus.
The 34-year-old has served as the team’s outside linebackers coach in each of the last two seasons after previously working as an assistant defensive line coach, among other roles.
Wilkins has long been seen as an assistant coach on the rise and will be serving as the defensive coordinator at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl game. Perhaps that won’t be the only place he serves as a defensive coordinator this year.
3. The Ravens could promote Anthony Weaver to replace Wink Martindale
If you’re looking for an internal option who has experience as a defensive coordinator, defensive line coach Anthony Weaver makes the most sense.
A former second-round pick of the Ravens in the 2002 NFL Draft, Weaver’s NFL career never really took off, but he’s found a second life as a highly-respected assistant coach.
Weaver has been a defensive line coach for a number of different NFL organizations and even served as the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans in 2020.
His lack of coaching experience with the Ravens could work against him, but he’s one of only two current assistants on the staff (the other being Rob Ryan) with experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. He’s definitely a possibility.
2. The Ravens could hire Mike Macdonald to replace Wink Martindale
These two entries are probably the most realistic of them all. First, let’s start with another former Ravens assistant who has taken his career to new heights since leaving, Mike Macdonald.
Macdonald joined the Ravens in 2014 as a coaching intern and gradually worked his way up through the organization serving as the team’s inside linebackers coach from 2018 to 2020.
He was held in such high regard around the football world that the University of Michigan came calling following the 2020 season and Macdonald left to be the school’s new defensive coordinator.
Macdonald not only has plenty of experience with the Ravens, but he’s now also served as the defensive coordinator under John Harbaugh’s brother, Jim.
There’s already some buzz around this happening (especially if Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan for the NFL), so this is definitely a very real possibility.
1. The Ravens could promote Chris Hewitt to replace Wink Martindale
If I had to make an immediate guess as to who would be Wink Martindale’s replacement in Baltimore, I’d probably say Chris Hewitt. Long viewed as the future heir apparent to Martindale, Hewitt may finally receive his opportunity to shine.
It just makes too much sense. Hewitt has been with the Ravens since 2012 when he joined the team to be their defensive backs coach. That’s the role he held until 2019 when he was promoted to pass defense coordinator ahead of the 2020 season.
Hewitt has long been seen as one of the top assistants on the Ravens’ coaching staff and a future defensive coordinator at the NFL level. With 19 years of coaching experience, it’s probably about time he receives his moment in the sun.
If the Ravens are going to hire Wink Martindale’s internally, no candidate makes more sense than Chris Hewitt.