Yahoo Sports New candidate emerges in Bears' head coach search
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for their season finale against the Green Bay Packers, but the focus has shifted to the offseason where an important head coach search awaits. There's been plenty of rumors, reports and speculation about the direction the Bears are leaning in a search led by general manager Ryan Poles and president Kevin Warren.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Bears have a number of the usual candidates on their radar -- including the previously-reported Mike Vrabel, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. But there's a new, under-the-radar candidate emerging: Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Poles has been doing his homework on all of those candidates, especially Weaver, per Russini, and it sounds like he could fit that "leader of men" type the organization is looking for in its next search.
Sources from both the Ravens — where Weaver spent three seasons — and the Dolphins have nothing but praise for his leadership qualities. Currently, the Dolphins rank third in the NFL in total defense — the first time in 22 years they’ve been this high (they ranked third in 2002 as well). Players have a lot of respect for the 43-year-old Weaver, describing him as “high energy,” “emotionally intelligent,” and someone who holds players accountable. While we might not have a one-size-fits-all definition of the “leader of men” the Bears say they are looking for, Weaver seems to fit the bill.
Weaver started as a defensive line coach with the Buffalo Bills (2013), Cleveland Browns (2014-15) and Houston Texans (2016-19) before he was promoted to defensive coordinator in Houston in 2020. Weaver then landed with the Baltimore Ravens, where he served as defensive line coach & run game coordinator (2021) before being promoted to assistant head coach (2022-23). He was hired as the Dolphins defensive coordinator in 2024, where he's led a top-five unit.
This isn't the first time Weaver has been considered for a head coach job. He interviewed for the Washington Commanders opening last year and was a finalist before Dan Quinn got the gig. Now, it sounds like Weaver is primed for an opportunity in this upcoming cycle.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: New candidate emerges in Bears' head coach search
