Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale brushed off a report that there could be a mutual parting of ways between him and the organization due to tension with head coach Brian Daboll

Martindale, speaking with reporters for the first time since Fox’s Jay Glazer reported on his uncertain future nearly two weeks ago, reiterated that he wants to remain the Giants' defensive coordinator and that his relationship with the head coach is in good standing.

“We’re fine. I mean, it’s the same thing as it was last year. It was just different because we were winning more games. It’s different every place you go, the relationship with the head coach and the defensive coordinator and assistants, especially when it’s new. It’s been, what, 22 months now, a year-and-a-half? It’s that we’re going to keep working and keep trying to win.”

Martindale added that he believes in what the Giants are trying to build and views himself here in the long term.

“I’ve said that this is not a stepping stone, it’s a destination, and still is,” he said.

Nevertheless, the report still bothered the defensive coordinator, who has not yet had any conversations about his future, but he tries not to dwell on it.

“It bothers you, you know what I mean?” Martindale said. “Here’s what [Daboll] told me… After the game, he goes, ‘Hey there’s a report out that you and I aren’t getting along, and you’re going to be fired.’ I said, ‘I don’t pay attention to that.’ This is after the New England game, I’m saying, on the field.

“I said, I woke up Sunday morning in Washington, and there was a Google alert on my phone …and I saw the four replacements that they had for me here in New York. So, if you sat there and you based your life off of what you read, you’d be very miserable. I refuse to do that. I care too much about these players and their success and building a program here that I’m just not going to let it affect me.”

Martindale was also asked about the response from the players about the report, which has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It means a lot,” he said. “I think that’s why you’re in the profession. If you’re not in the profession for that, you’re in the wrong profession. If you make it about me instead of we, then you’re going down the wrong street."

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