EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For four seasons, Don Martindale was the only N.F.L. defensive coordinator who never needed to worry about stopping Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in a game. He served as their defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, and saw Jackson evolve from an uncertain starting quarterback into the league’s most valuable player in 2019.
Martindale watched from the sideline as Jackson made opposing defenders look inept by continually dodging them in ways resembling a running back or wide receiver. Often, the only person stopping Jackson was Jackson himself, with late-game turnovers.
While Martindale never had to face Jackson’s offense in regular-season action, he did see him every day in practice.