The Ravens have completed an interview with Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Here are five things to know about Weaver:
He has been a Raven as a coach and player.
Weaver knows what it means to "Play Like a Raven" and has been part of the organization's culture as a former player and assistant coach.
He played four seasons (2002-2005) on Baltimore's defensive line after the Ravens drafted him in the second round. He was a hard-nosed player who had 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles as an immediate starter.
Weaver returned to Baltimore as part of John Harbaugh's staff in 2021, serving as a highly respected defensive line coach. He was Harbaugh's assistant head coach for his final two seasons, adding to a résumé that includes one season as the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator (2020).
Weaver is just two seasons removed from his final year on Baltimore's staff, giving him familiarity with many players still on the roster.
Weaver has defensive expertise.
Hiring Weaver could help spark a defensive resurgence in Baltimore after the Ravens ranked 24th in total defense in 2025 and 31st in pass defense.
In Weaver's first season with Miami, the Dolphins ranked fourth overall in total defense despite having just one Pro Bowler on their unit, defensive back Jalen Ramsey. In 2025, the Dolphins ranked No. 22 in the NFL in yards allowed but traded some of their top players at midseason.
Baltimore's defense was stout against the run during Weaver's tenure, ranked No. 1 in rushing defense in 2021 and third in 2022. In 2023, the Ravens allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns in the league (six), and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike enjoyed his first Pro Bowl season.
Weaver decided he'd like to become a head coach one day while playing for Baltimore.
As a player, Weaver saw the long hours that coaches spent studying film and working on game plans. He recalls seeing former Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan sleeping at the practice facility during the week, getting ready for the next opponent.
At first, Weaver wasn't sure he wanted that life once his playing days ended. But as he got older, he realized that becoming a coach was in his blood.
"I knew the work that was involved in getting us to Sunday," Weaver said. "I knew how much they (coaches) put into it. Back then, at 21, I didn't know that I was willing to do that. As I matured and got older, I realized that I can. I love it too much. I love the grind of it, I love the struggle, the âcamaraderie. I love the teamwork. When you bring all those things together and you've got the right group of people doing it, you have an opportunity to do something really special."
Weaver has learned from working with head coaches who led in different ways.
Weaver has seen various coaching styles, having worked under Harbaugh, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and former Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien. He also worked on the Ravens staff with Mike Macdonald, Baltimore's former defensive coordinator, who has led the Seattle Seahawks to the No. 1 seed in the NFC in his second season as head coach.
Weaver can take something from each of their coaching styles while adding his own personality to the equation. With a deep voice and commanding presence, the 45-year-old Weaver believes in building toughness and discipline that can carry a team into the playoffs and beyond.
"You want coaches that are tough," Weaver told the âCoach & Coordinatorâ podcast. "Sometimes when you talk about toughness, that comes with a false bravado. That's not necessarily what I'm talking about.
"This game is hard. The season is very long, and as the season goes on, some people fade, they start to change. You don't want that. You want guys that are consistent and calm in the chaos."
Weaver has been a hot name on the coaching carousel for several years.
Weaver has built a reputation as a potential head coach in waiting.
He had interviews with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders after the 2023 season, and with the Chicago Bears after the 2024 season. He completed another interview with the Falcons on Saturday.
Weaver was a finalist for the Commanders' head coach opening in 2024, but the job instead went to Dan Quinn.
Weaver started his NFL coaching career in 2012 as an assistant line coach with the New York Jets and has also worked with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. Putting in the work and moving up the coaching ladder, Weaver hopes this is the offseason he breaks through and lands one of the league's coveted head coach positions.
