The Miami Dolphins are likely hopeful that bringing in Anthony Weaver as their defensive coordinator will bring major improvements in that department.
At least one head coach believes Weaver will do well in Miami. Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who is also a recent hire himself, offered an optimistic message about the 43-year-old.
“When did I figure he’d be a good DC?” Macdonald told Pro Football Network. “When he was in Houston.
“That’s the first time I ever saw him, and I thought he did a great job there and just working with him on a day-to-day basis. This is someone that I have huge respect for, just as a human being and a leader. Incredibly smart.
“The players love him. He was a huge asset for our staff and how those guys played up front in the success that, you know; you’re excited for the guys’ success that we had up front at the D line spot. And he’s gonna do a tremendous job for those guys, man. Love Weav, miss him, and we wish the best for him.”
Macdonald and Weaver worked together as members of the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff. While Macdonald served as the defensive coordinator in the 2022 and 2023 seasons for Baltimore, Weaver was the defensive line coach and assistant head coach during the same years.
The former co-workers helped the Ravens have one of the league’s best defenses. In the 2022 campaign, the team allowed the third-lowest points per game and was ninth in yards allowed. The following season saw it fare even better on defense, ranking first in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed.
Coupled with a strong offense, thanks in large part to Lamar Jackson’s MVP campaign, Baltimore reached the AFC Championship Game last season, where it lost to the eventual Super Bowl winners, the Kansas City Chiefs.
The playoff run turned out to be part of Macdonald’s and Weaver’s auditions for their current jobs. Ultimately, their partnership ended after two years.
Still, it appears Macdonald had been monitoring Weaver’s performance even before their Ravens stints coincided. Before joining Baltimore in 2021, the former defensive end spent five campaigns with the Houston Texans, four as their defensive line coach and one as their defensive coordinator.
Only time will tell if Weaver has what it takes to elevate the Dolphins’ perennially disappointing defense. In the past 10 seasons, the squad has cracked the top 10 points allowed per game just once. He has already teased what Miami’s defense will look like under his tutelage. Now, it’s a matter of executing the system and getting the players to buy in.
