Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don ‘Wink’ Martindale is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NFL, and the front office generously awarded him for his recent efforts.

On Sunday, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that the Ravens handed Martindale a new contract that will give him an average of $3.25 million annually.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that it’s a three-year deal for Martindale, and it makes him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the NFL. Given his track record up to this point, Martindale’s lucrative extension shouldn’t cause any head scratching across the league.

Martindale first joined the Ravens as a linebackers coach in 2012, having previously served as an assistant for the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos (he was their defensive coordinator in 2010). He was on staff for the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 season.

Dean Pees — Baltimore’s previous defensive coordinator — retired after the 2017 season, though he immediately returned to join Mike Vrabel’s staff with the Tennessee Titans. After Pees left the Ravens, head coach John Harbaugh promoted Martindale to defensive coordinator, and he brought instant results right away.

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The Ravens had the NFL’s stingiest defense in 2018, allowing just 292.9 yards per game in the NFL. They also allowed just 17.9 points per game, second-fewest in the NFL behind only the Chicago Bears (they allowed 17.7 per game).

In 2019, the Ravens finished with the NFL’s best record at 14-2, thanks in large part to the efforts of second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson. But Martindale’s defense was just as pivotal to the team success in 2019.

The Ravens allowed the fourth-fewest yards (300.6 per game) and the third-fewest points (17.6). The team was bolstered by the additions of Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas (signed in free agency) and standout cornerback Marcus Peters (acquired in a midseason trade). With Martindale sticking around for the next few years, Baltimore’s defense will remain as dominant as ever.

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