Report: Miami Dolphins targeting one of top candidates for Washington Commanders HC job

The Miami Dolphins are supposedly eyeing Anthony Weaver — who is in the running for the Washington Commanders’ open head coaching job — to fill their defensive coordinator position.

“There are some who have viewed [Ben] Johnson as the ‘presumptive favorite’ for the Washington job, but multiple sources insist that is not true,” Adam Schefter wrote. “While Johnson could land the Commanders head-coaching job, sources insist that there are other strong candidates — most notably [Mike] Macdonald, Weaver, [Aaron] Glenn and [Dallas] Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn — who remain ‘very much in play.'”

Weaver currently serves as the associate head coach as well as the defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens franchise. Before joining the team’s coaching staff, he spent the first four seasons of his NFL playing career with the Ravens, who drafted him in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

The Dolphins reportedly also plan to interview Houston Texans linebackers coach Chris Kiffin for their defensive coordinator job.

Weaver helped lead the Ravens to an impressive 13-4 record during the 2023 regular season, which was the top record of any team in the entire AFC.

The Ravens were also one of the better defensive teams in the league during the regular season, as they allowed just 16.5 points per game.

Baltimore’s playoff stint started out swimmingly. The team picked up a 24-point playoff win over the Houston Texans on Jan. 20. Lamar Jackson starred as both a passer and runner for the Ravens, as he racked up 152 passing yards and two passing touchdowns to go along with 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 11 carries.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers also totaled 41 receiving yards on four receptions in what was an impressive home victory for Baltimore.

But the Ravens’ season came to an end against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens lost by seven points, and Jackson finished with 272 passing yards and one touchdown compared to one interception. He also completed just 20 of his 37 passing attempts during the game.

While the Ravens’ season came to an end in disappointing fashion, it’s still easy to understand why the Dolphins are reportedly targeting Weaver. After all, he played a part in the Ravens being one of the most dominant defensive teams in the NFL this season.

Perhaps his experience coaching a great defensive team will come in handy in helping the Dolphins become a more effective and formidable team on that side of the ball.