Early this week, the Cincinnati Bengals got brought up alongside the name Wink Martindale as they continue to search for their next defensive coordinator. It was an incredibly strange bit of speculation/reporting because the Bengals and Martindale don’t exactly have the friendliest relationship in recent years.

Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is scheduled to interview with the #Falcons today and the #Colts on Wednesday, per sources. The #Bengals also could have interest in Martindale, who is college football’s highest-paid coordinator at Michigan. One to watch. pic.twitter.com/iV6KsWxXn0

Just when there was noise coming from the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator search, it was shut down almost instantly. NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported Monday afternoon that the Bengals "could have interest" in current Michigan DC Don "Wink" Martindale,

After just one season at Michigan, former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale could be on his way back to the NFL. On Tuesday, the 61-year-old Martindale met with the Atlanta Falcons and he will follow that up with a Thursday interview in Indianapolis.

The Atlanta Falcons have conducted a virtual interview with Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale as they began their search to replace Jimmy Lake, who was fired as defensive coordinator following the team's 8-9 finish.