When the Miami Dolphins brought in Anthony Weaver to run the defense, there was a quiet understanding around the league: this was a stepping-stone move. Weaver’s reputation as a sharp defensive mind and a strong leader had already made him a name to watch in future head coaching conversations. But as this hiring cycle winds down, it’s clear that next step will have to wait.
With 10 teams having head coaching vacancies this offseason, the door was open. But Weaver’s name hasn’t made it past the threshold - and the reasons have less to do with his coaching acumen and more to do with the situation he walked into in Miami.
Let’s be clear: Weaver didn’t exactly get a fair shake. The Dolphins’ defense was in rough shape before the season even kicked off.
The secondary was hit with injuries early in camp, and by the time the season started, his top two cornerbacks weren’t even on the roster. They joined the team after the preseason had wrapped, forcing Weaver to scramble to build cohesion in a unit that thrives on communication and chemistry.
That kind of instability is tough for any coordinator to overcome, let alone one trying to make a strong impression in his first year with a new team.
And it wasn’t just the secondary. General manager Chris Grier opted to retool the defensive front in 2025, bringing in new faces and letting go of key veterans.
The result? A defense that lacked identity for most of the season.
Despite some late-season improvement, the Dolphins still finished in the bottom 10 in most major defensive categories. That’s not the kind of stat line that helps a coordinator’s head coaching stock - even if the context tells a more sympathetic story.
Weaver’s leadership, though, hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s reportedly impressed in interviews, and teams have taken note of his presence and command.
The Steelers, for one, gave him a serious look before ultimately opting for a candidate with prior head coaching experience. That’s often the way it goes in this league - experience wins out, even when the upside of a fresh voice like Weaver’s is clear.
As of now, only the Browns, Cardinals, and Raiders remain without head coaches. Barring a late twist, it looks like Weaver will be back on the sidelines next season - but not as the man in charge.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins appear ready to move on. The expectation is that Sean Duggan, currently the linebackers coach, will be promoted to defensive coordinator. Duggan has ties to Miami’s growing Green Bay pipeline, and the move would mark another shift in the Dolphins’ coaching staff under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
If Weaver were to land a head coaching gig this cycle, the Dolphins would receive two third-round compensatory picks under the NFL’s Rooney Rule. But that possibility is fading fast.
Ultimately, the Dolphins’ internal decisions - from roster construction to cap management - made life difficult for their coaching staff. Grier’s gambles on big contracts and his approach to free agency left the defense thin and vulnerable. And while Bobby Slowik’s promotion from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator has raised eyebrows across the fanbase, Weaver’s departure feels more like collateral damage than a calculated move.
Weaver’s head coaching future may be on pause, but it’s not off the table. He’s still one of the most respected young defensive minds in the game. But for now, his Miami stint serves as a reminder: in the NFL, even the best coaches need the right support to truly shine.