The Dolphins’ recent surge has quieted the whispers around their head coach situation just in time for a completely different coaching rumor to re-emerge

Just as one set of rumors starts to cool down, a whole new set re-emerge.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Aug 17, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet on the field during practice at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins have been the subject of a slew of rumors and whispers surrounding their head coach position thus far this season. The buzz seems to have cooled, at least for now, that Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat. Winning three straight and four of five will do that for a coach. But while the Dolphins can enjoy the reprieve from the rumors of their own head coaching position, the break is coming just in time for a totally different kind of head coaching rumor surrounding the Dolphins.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is back on the short-list for coaching candidates from NFL insiders amid his team’s defensive revival the last six to eight weeks of the season (I skipped seven, my sincerest apologies).

Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver included in The Athletic report on 2026 head coach candidates

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini included Anthony Weaver’s name amongst the list of potential head coaching candidates that could garner significant interest starting next month.

“Expect these assistant coaches to garner serious looks in the upcoming coaching cycle,” said Russini, while listing out nearly a dozen total names. If the Dolphins do end up retaining Mike McDaniel for their own head coaching position, it isn’t hard to imagine Weaver being a priority to return — and there are a couple of factors that could work in Miami’s favor in that regard.

First and foremost, how many vacancies will the NFL see this year? So far, we know of the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants. If we have an uncharacteristically light group of open spots, which Miami could help in their own right by keeping McDaniel, the shuffling would obviously be kept to a minimum.

But the other part of this puzzle for Weaver and his candidacy is that several of the other perceived top defensive-minded head coaching candidates come with something Weaver doesn’t — prior head coaching experience. Whether that’s 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (former head coach of the Jets), Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (former head coach of the Cardinals), or Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley (former head coach at Boston College), teams interested in a defensive coach will have options that are experienced with running a ship.

Weaver is not. That isn’t to say that Weaver isn’t qualified or isn’t capable of doing so. But his unit’s modest overall rankings this season amid a slow start could nudge tiebreakers in the favor of other head coach candidates who come with more proof of concept running a team.

Miami Dolphins’ EPA Defensive Ranks
Since Week 6

  • Defensive EPA per rush: +0.23 (2nd best in NFL)
  • Defensive EPA per dropback: -0.08 (T-19th in NFL)
  • Defensive EPA per play (Red Zone): +0.17 (T-7th in NFL)
  • Third Down Defensive EPA per play: +0.31 (3rd best in NFL)

Dolphins fans should be ecstatic if Weaver is a part of their puzzle in 2026. He’s got a lot of great qualities as a coach and in both of his seasons as the Dolphins defensive coordinator, Weaver has done well to get production out of a unit that faced personnel adversity. In 2024 it was the injuries to the team’s pass rush. In 2025? A brand new secondary slapped together late in the summer and a trio of rookies on the defensive interior, who were straddled by those same pass rushers who missed 2024 and needed to shake off the rust.

Miami is a strong finish over the final five weeks from likely sustaining their head coach. And, at that point, the hope would then turn to Weaver not getting his big shot this winter. Apparently, per Russini, the rest of the league is watching, though.

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