There has been speculation that Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could leave Mike McDaniel’s coaching staff after spending just one season in Miami dating back to last February. Those rumors became even louder after Weaver interviewed with the New Orleans Saints for their head coach opening late last month.
But the identity of the Saints’ newest head coach was revealed on Tuesday, and Dolphins fans can breathe a sigh of relief. New Orleans is hiring former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Moore just recently helped the Eagles capture just their second Super Bowl in franchise history, and Philadelphia’s offense went off for 40 points against the Kansas City Chiefs on football’s biggest stage.
A new coach in New Orleans: Saints are hiring Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their head coach, per sources. A deal that had been anticipated now is being finalized. The Saints have a new leader, and the Eagles need a new offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/Z1ahshRc2H
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 11, 2025
In light of the Saints’ decision and the fact that there are no longer any openings at the head coach position among the NFL’s 32 teams, Weaver seems primed to be the architect behind Miami’s defensive unit once again in the 2025 season.
The Dolphins underperformed in the 2024 season, but the team’s defense seemingly doesn’t deserve much of the blame for that notion. After all, in Weaver’s maiden season in Miami, the Dolphins allowed just 21.4 points per contest. Only nine teams in the entire league did a better job at preventing scores.
The fewest points that the Dolphins held a team to in a single game all season was three. The Cleveland Browns scored all of those points in the second quarter in a game they lost by 17 points on Dec. 29. Miami’s defense made life difficult for Browns signal-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as he completed barely more than half of his 47 passing attempts on the game and threw one interception compared to zero touchdowns.
Perhaps Weaver can help Miami’s defense make the jump from very good to elite in his second season with the Dolphins, assuming he doesn’t unexpectedly spurn them for an opportunity on another team’s staff. Led by the likes of Jordyn Brooks, Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland, Miami seemingly has the talent necessary to be a top team on that side of the ball at the very least.
