The Miami Dolphins are set to retain defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver after the New Orleans Saints hired Kellen Moore as their new head coach Tuesday.
Moore, 36, was the expected choice for the Saints, but the team waited until after Super Bowl LIX to hire the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator. Weaver was one of the few candidates who was still a possibility for New Orleans if negotiations with Moore surprisingly broke down.
Instead, Weaver is set to return as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator after a strong first season in the role in 2024.
Weaver, 44, spent five seasons with the Houston Texans and three with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Dolphins last year. In his first season, Miami was No. 4 in yards allowed and No. 10 in points allowed, despite finishing near the bottom of the NFL in sacks and takeaways.
In Mike McDaniel’s three seasons as head coach of the Dolphins, he had three different defensive coordinators. Both the continuity at the position and the return of players like Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips could mean an even better year is on the way for the Miami defense.
But the Dolphins have questions to answer on that side of the ball too. Zach Sieler is the only starting defensive lineman under contract for the 2025 season, safeties Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer are both set to hit free agency, and Miami may need to find a reliable linebacker to play next to Jordyn Brooks.