This season, the Ravens struggled after losing three of their four starters in the secondary -- cornerbacks
Marlon Humphrey and
Marcus Peters and safety
DeShon Elliott -- to season-ending injuries. Baltimore had trouble stopping teams late in games, forcing turnovers and preventing big plays in the passing game.
The Ravens gave up the most completions of 20 or more yards in the NFL (74) and 40 yards or more (16). Baltimore also managed just 34 sacks this season, which ranked 22nd in the league.
This was unlike any season under Martindale, whose defenses ranked
No. 1 in 2018, No. 4 in 2019 and No. 7 in 2020. He had been considered a head-coaching candidate, even interviewing for the
New York Giants job in 2020.