Eagles To Add Doug Nussmeier To Staff; Team Expected To Hire Broncos’ Christian Parker
Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio are bringing some familiar staffers to Philadelphia. One of those will be Doug Nussmeier, who has worked with Moore in Dallas and Los Angeles.
Nussmeier will join the Eagles as quarterbacks coach, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Additionally, the Eagles are expected to hire Christian Parker from the Broncos’ staff, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano tweets. Parker loomed as a DC candidate during this year’s cycle. The young assistant will rejoin Fangio, who hired him in Denver.
Moore and Nussmeier coached together in Dallas from 2018-22, with the latter moving from tight ends coach to QBs coach during that span. Moore brought Nussmeier with him to Los Angeles when he took over as Chargers OC last year. That stint did not go especially well, but the Eagles will give Moore leeway to bring his longtime coworker with him to coach Jalen Hurts.
Seeing as both staffers were tied to the Cowboys for years, the Eagles certainly have a degree of familiarity with Moore and Nussmeier. The latter also served as an offensive coordinator for five college programs — including Alabama, Michigan and Florida — from 2008-17. This will be the second former Gators OC the Eagles will have hired as QBs coach under Nick Sirianni. The Eagles brought Brian Johnson from Gainesville to coach Hurts, whom the assistant had known for years, in 2021. The Eagles have since fired Johnson after one season as OC; no team has hired the young staffer yet.
Johnson and Nussmeier did not coach together at Florida; the latter was in Dallas by the time Johnson got to Gainesville. The Ravens interviewed Nussmeier, 53, for their OC job in 2023 but hired Todd Monken. Philly will now entrust additional Hurts development to two former Cowboys staffers. With Jim Harbaugh now running the Chargers, Nussmeier needed to make new plans.
Parker, 32, interviewed for the Patriots and Packers’ DC jobs this offseason. He has been valued in Denver, working as the team’s DBs coach under Fangio, Nathaniel Hackett and Sean Payton. Residing as the last Fangio assistant coach left this past season, Parker has overseen the likes of Justin Simmons and Patrick Surtain. Parker has coached the latter, now a two-time Pro Bowler, throughout his career. He also mentored rookie UDFA slot cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian in 2023. Parker was under contract, per Denver7’s Troy Renck, who notes the team gave the Eagles permission to make this hire.
Additionally, the Eagles are hiring Dolphins assistant Joe Kasper to be their safeties coach, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe tweets. Fangio targeted Kasper, per Wolfe, and the Eagles sent him an interview slip last week. Despite Fangio’s Dolphins fit not proving ideal, the veteran defensive coach’s time in Miami will lead at least one staffer to follow him. This is a return trip for Kasper, who was a quality control assistant with the Eagles from 2021-22. Fangio’s consulting season helped lead Kasper to Miami, where he served as safeties coach.
One of the staffers who worked under Jonathan Gannon and Sean Desai in Philly, DBs coach D.K. McDonald, is departing to become the co-defensive coordinator at Kansas, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. This proves interesting due to he and Fangio overlapping in 2022; McDonald was on Sirianni’s staff from 2021-23. The ex-Gannon assistant began his Philly tenure as assistant DBs coach, moving up to secondary coach in 2023.
QB Tua Tagovailoa Expects To Remain With Dolphins Long-Term
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is under club control through 2024 by virtue of the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, but he anticipates being with the team for the foreseeable future. When asked at a Pro Bowl practice last week if he believes he and Miami will ultimately come to terms on a long-term deal, Tagovailoa said, “I believe that will happen” (via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post).
In 2022, Mike McDaniel‘s first year as the Dolphins’ head coach, Tagovailoa was mostly terrific, as he led the league in quarterback rating (105.5), TD% (6.3%), and yards per attempt (8.9). Unfortunately, that season was also marred by several frightening concussions, and it was reported last August that the team would be tabling contract talks with the former first-rounder.
Tagovailoa managed to stay healthy for the entirety of the 2023 campaign, and although his interception percentage increased, he did lead the league in passing yards (4,624) while posting a 101.1 QB rating en route to his first Pro Bowl nod.
“My main goal this year was to play, you know, 17-plus games and I was able to accomplish that goal and just very fortunate that I was able to do that and very happy too,” Tagovailoa said.
Following consecutive seasons of high-end play, including a 2023 season that featured perfect attendance, it makes sense that the Dolphins would want to explore a multiyear deal with the southpaw passer sooner rather than later, especially since the quarterback market continues to surge with no ceiling in sight. Indeed, as Schad notes, GM Chris Grier recently said he wants to keep Tagovailoa in the fold for the long haul.
It is worth noting that Tagovailoa struggled in last season’s most meaningful games. Although he got off to a fast start in a Week 17 game in Baltimore, a contest in which control of the AFC’s No. 1 seed was on the line, Tagovailoa and his offense soon faltered, and he ultimately completed 22 of 38 passes for two TDs against two interceptions in a 56-19 blowout loss to the Ravens. That took the AFC’s top seed off the table, but the ‘Fins still had the chance to secure the AFC East title and a home playoff game if they could defeat the Bills in the regular season finale in South Beach.
Tagovailoa struggled in that contest as well, and the Dolphins’ loss to Buffalo forced the team to open the playoffs on the road against the eventual-AFC champion Chiefs. On a frigid Kansas City night in January, Tagovailoa again failed to muster much production, completing 20 of 39 passes for a paltry 199 yards (53 of which came on one throw), one TD, and one interception.
The Dolphins’ meek exit from the playoff field and Tagovailoa’s poor performance down the stretch led to renewed questions about his future in Miami, though player and team both apparently expect to continue their relationship for some time. However, with the Alabama product due a below-market $23.17MM salary on his fifth-year option in 2024, and controllable via the franchise tag in 2025, there is not necessarily any urgency — aside from the rising QB market referenced above — to get something done right now.
Spotrac estimates that Tagovailoa could land a six-year contract worth just over $300MM if he were currently on the open market.
Dolphins Hire Anthony Weaver As DC
It sounds like the Dolphins have found their replacement for Vic Fangio. According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Dolphins are hiring Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver as their new defensive coordinator.
[RELATED: Anthony Weaver Emerging As Dolphins DC Favorite]
Weaver is well regarded in coaching circles, leading to him garnering a pair of head coaching interviews (Atlanta, Washington) this offseason. He didn’t land either of those gigs, but he’ll still earn a promotion to defensive coordinator in Miami. We heard yesterday that Weaver was the favorite to land the open defensive coordinator position previously held by Fangio, who recently left the Dolphins to return to the Eagles.
Weaver, a former Ravens second-round pick, earned his first NFL coaching job with the Jets in 2012. He was the defensive line coach in Buffalo, Cleveland, and Houston before he landed the Texans defensive coordinator gig in 2020. The Texans defense didn’t fare all that well that season, and with David Culley being brought in as head coach in 2021, Weaver wasn’t retained.
He was quickly scooped up by his former coach, John Harbaugh. Weaver joined the Ravens coaching staff as their defensive line coach/run game coordinator in 2021, and he earned a promotion to associate head coach in 2022. Schultz notes that the Ravens attempted to keep Weaver on their staff, but the Dolphins managed to lure him to Miami.
It’s not a huge surprise that Weaver decided to take his talents elsewhere, as he’s twice been passed over for Baltimore’s DC gig. The Ravens hired Mike Macdonald over promoting Weaver to DC in 2022, bringing the former back after a one-year stay at Michigan. They most recently elevated inside linebackers coach Zach Orr over Weaver to replace Macdonald. The Ravens defensive coaching staff has been decimated this offseason. Besides Weaver and Macdonald, the Ravens have also lost defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, who was named the Titans new defensive coordinator.
The Dolphins should anticipate an improvement to their already-impressive pass rush corps. Miami finished third in the NFL this past year for sacks, behind only the Chiefs and Weavers’ Ravens. A Dolphins pass rush featuring Bradley Chubb (11.0 sacks in 2023), Zach Sieler (10.0), Christian Wilkins (9.0), and Jaelan Phillips (6.5 sacks in only eight games) could become that much more formidable with their new defensive coordinator at the helm.
After the Dolphins and Fangio decided to mutually part ways last month, the organization cast a relatively wide net for a replacement. Many of their targets earned DC jobs elsewhere or decided to stick with their current situations. Besides Weaver, the known remaining candidates included Dolphins inside linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, Texans linebackers coach Chris Kiffin, Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik, and former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.
Coaching Notes: Patriots, Raiders, Jets, Dolphins
Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo worked in tandem to guide the Patriots defense during Bill Belichick‘s final years in New England. With the older Belichick gone and Mayo having been promoted to head coach, the younger Belichick was facing an uncertain future with the organization. While there were some rumblings that Mayo was interested in keeping Steve Belichick on staff, the Patriots linebackers coach is set to interview for a job at the University of Washington, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
While the Patriots didn’t have a traditional defensive coordinator in recent years, Belichick and Mayo were both credited with running the group. Steve Belichick was the defensive play-caller over each of the past four seasons, leading some pundits to wonder if he could earn a promotion to full-time DC with Mayo now leading the way. There were also rumblings that the younger Belichick could join his father in a new landing spot. Ultimately, neither of those scenarios came to fruition, and Steve Belichick is now eyeing a role elsewhere.
Patriots RB coach Vinnie Sunseri is also set to interview with the University of Washington. The coach has experience working on both sides of the ball, and he worked alongside Jedd Fisch when the two were in New England.
Elsewhere on the Patriots staff, assistant special teams coach Joe Houston is leaving for the University of Florida, according to Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com. Houston was set to be named Alabama’s special teams coach in 2020, but the Patriots convinced him to join their coaching staff. He’s spent the past four seasons in New England.
More coaching notes from around the NFL…
- The Raiders are hiring DeShaun Foster as their new running backs coach, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. After finishing his playing career with more than 4,500 yards from scrimmage, Foster joined UCLA’s staff in 2012. He’s spent most of the past 12 seasons with the Bruins, including the past seven as their running backs coach. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that he expects the Raiders to also add Andre Carter to their staff. The former first-round pick previously served as the Jets defensive line coach.
- The Jets have added Shawn Jefferson as their new wide receivers coach, according to Josina Anderson. Jefferson has been coaching since 2006, and he’s had stints as the WRs coach with the Lions, Titans, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals, and (most recently) the Panthers. He had a previous stint with New York’s coaching staff, serving as the WRs coach/assistant head coach in 2019 and 2020.
- The Dolphins are making some significant changes to their coaching staff. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the organization has parted ways with offensive assistant Kolby Smith. Wolfe adds that offensive assistant Ricardo Allen, offensive assistant Mike Judge, and assistant special teams coach Brendan Farrell also won’t be back in 2024. Smith is a somewhat notable departure. After working alongside RB coach Eric Studesville this past season, he was interviewed for the Jaguars RB coach job.
- The Rams have hired Giff Smith as their defensive line coach/run game coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The long-time coach had been with the Chargers since 2016, serving as defensive line coach and linebackers coach. He took on the role of interim head coach this past season following the firing of Brandon Staley, with the Chargers going winless in his three games at the helm. Per Pelissero, a number of teams reached out to Smith about joining their staffs, but the coach ultimately decided to stick in Los Angeles.
Anthony Weaver Emerging As Dolphins DC Favorite; Ravens Aiming To Retain DL Coach
Already losing their defensive coordinator to the head coaching ranks, the Ravens could soon see another key defensive staffer move up the ladder elsewhere. Although Anthony Weaver did not land the Commanders’ HC job, he has emerged as a name to watch on Miami’s radar as a coordinator.
Weaver’s Dolphins interview looks to have positioned him well to replace Vic Fangio. The Ravens’ D-line coach is viewed as the frontrunner for this job, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. He interviewed for the Atlanta and Washington HC jobs, joining Mike Macdonald in that regard. The latter landed a top job — in Seattle — while Weaver remains on the Ravens’ staff.
John Harbaugh confirmed earlier Friday that Weaver was still in the race to be the next Miami DC, but the longtime Baltimore leader said (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) the team wants to keep him on staff. Weaver has been with the Ravens since 2021. A Dolphins DC hire would give Weaver a second chance in a coordinator role; he spent the 2020 season as the Texans’ DC.
The Ravens hired Macdonald over promoting Weaver to DC in 2022, bringing the former back after a one-year stay at Michigan. They have now since elevated inside linebackers coach Zach Orr over Weaver to replace Macdonald. These developments would seem to point to the veteran assistant exploring options elsewhere, though the former NFL D-lineman did begin his playing career in Baltimore in the 2000s.
If Miami pulls the trigger, and Weaver decides to make the move to South Beach, the Dolphins could expect to see an improvement to an already very impressive pass rush. Miami finished third in the NFL this year for sacks, behind only the Chiefs and Weavers’ Ravens. A Dolphins pass rush featuring Bradley Chubb (11.0 sacks in 2023), Zach Sieler (10.0), Christian Wilkins (9.0), and Jaelan Phillips (6.5 sacks in only eight games) could become that much more formidable.
Despite Weaver’s old ties to Charm City as a former second-round draft pick for the Ravens, his time coaching in Baltimore has been a short three years. The Ravens have shown their desire to keep him on staff, enticing him with add-on titles like run game coordinator and associate head coach during his time, but with Orr taking the reins as DC in 2024, it will be difficult to keep Weaver in place once again. Expect another Ravens staffer to coach their way out of Baltimore.
Rams Promote Chris Shula To DC
The Rams are turning to their current coaching staff to fill the void left by former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams have promoted pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach Chris Shula to defensive coordinator. The Rams have since announced the promotion.
With Morris being named as the Falcons new head coach, the Rams had a major hole on their coaching staff. Sean McVay considered a number of outside candidates for the job, including former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. McVay also considered in-house candidates; besides Shula, defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant was also expected to get an interview for the position.
Ultimately, the Rams opted for Shula as their new defensive coordinator. The grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, Chris Shula has been climbing the NFL coaching ranks for close to a decade. He spent the past seven seasons with the Rams organization, working his way up from assistant LBs coach to the full-time job. He earned the added responsibility of pass game coordinator in 2022, and he took on the title of pass rush coordinator in 2023.
Shula has earned a positive reputation during his seven seasons with the Rams, and Schefter notes that the Dolphins tried to get the coach in for a coordinator interview. Ultimately, the Rams wouldn’t let the 37-year-old out of the building. According to Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager, Shula was “incredibly impressive” during his interview for the Rams job, and the decision is expected to be “celebrated” by the current staff.
The Rams are also reportedly eyeing a current staff member for another vacancy. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Rams interviewed assistant defensive line coach AC Carter for the full-time job. Carter has had a quick rise, as he only entered the NFL coaching ranks in 2022 when he served as the Broncos defensive quality control coach. In Los Angeles, he was credited with helping guide rookie Kobie Turner to a team-leading nine sacks this past season.
2024 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker
The Commanders’ hire has wrapped this year’s cycle. Barring a team making an 11th-hour change, the 2024 HC carousel has come to a stop. The final breakdown produced five defensive coaches being hired compared to three with backgrounds on offense. Many teams are still searching for offensive and defensive coordinators, however.
Updated 2-1-24 (10:37am CT)
Atlanta Falcons
- Bill Belichick, former head coach (Patriots): Conducted second interview 1/19; pursuit losing momentum
- Joe Brady, interim offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/20
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): To conduct second interview 1/24
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Conducted second interview 1/24
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Second interview requested
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Second interview canceled; postponement in play
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Second interview requested
- Brian Johnson, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/18
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Second interview requested
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Hired
- Antonio Pierce, interim head coach (Raiders): Interview requested; hired as Raiders HC
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Conducted second interview 1/25
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/24
- Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach (Ravens): Second interview requested
- Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/13
Carolina Panthers
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): To conduct second interview 1/23
- Dave Canales, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Hired
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Conducted second interview 1/22
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Conducted interview 1/19; top target?
- Brian Johnson, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interview requested; team no longer interested
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/11
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/11
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): To conduct second interview 1/24
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/17
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed 1/18
- Frank Smith, offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/16
- Chris Tabor, interim head coach (Panthers): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): To interview 1/25
Las Vegas Raiders
- Bill Belichick, former head coach (Patriots): Mentioned as candidate
- Leslie Frazier, former defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/16
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Mutual interest
- Antonio Pierce, interim head coach (Raiders): Hired
- Kris Richard, former defensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/16
Los Angeles Chargers
- Bill Belichick, former head coach (Patriots): Rumored candidate
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/16
- Pete Carroll, former head coach (Seahawks): Aiming to be considered
- Leslie Frazier, former defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/14
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/20
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/11
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Hired
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/20; mutual interest?
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/13
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/12
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/20
- Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/9
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interviewed 1/19
- David Shaw, former head coach (Stanford): Interviewed 1/18
- Giff Smith, interim head coach (Chargers): Interviewed 1/9
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Interviewed 1/18
- Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/13
New England Patriots
- Jerod Mayo, linebackers coach (Patriots): Hired
Seattle Seahawks
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Conducted second interview 1/27
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Conducted second interview 1/23
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Conducted second interview 1/29
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): Conducted second interview 1/24
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Hired
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): To conduct second interview 1/26
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Conducted second interview 1/25
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed 1/21
- Frank Smith, offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/18
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): Mentioned as candidate
Tennessee Titans
- Thomas Brown, offensive coordinator (Panthers): To conduct second interview 1/22
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Hired
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/19
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Brian Johnson, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/19
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/12
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/13
- Antonio Pierce, interim head coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/13; hired as Raiders HC
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): To conduct second interview 1/24
- David Shaw, former head coach (Stanford): Interviewed 1/21
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed 1/18
Washington Commanders
- Bill Belichick, former head coach (Patriots): Discussed position; received internal support
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): To conduct second interview 1/30
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Mentioned as candidate
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): To conduct second interview 1/30; hire expected?
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/29
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Conducted second interview 1/24
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Hired
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Conducted second interview 1/23
- Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach (Ravens): Conducted second interview 1/29
Dolphins To Interview Chris Shula For DC
The Dolphins’ search to replace Vic Fangio will move toward Sean McVay‘s staff, and it now includes a rather familiar name in South Florida.
Chris Shula, who has been with the Rams throughout McVay’s tenure, is set to interview for the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator position, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula, Chris will meet with the team about its DC opening Thursday.
A Miami native, Chris is the son of former Dolphins assistant and ex-Bengals head coach David Shula. In addition to Don Shula’s 26-year run as Dolphins HC, the Shulas have produced another NFL HC (David) and a coordinator (Mike). Chris, 37, has moved around on McVay’s staff, specializing on the defensive side. He spent this past season as the Rams’ linebackers coach.
This marks Chris’ second opportunity to interview for a coordinator post this offseason. The Rams also have him on the radar to replace Raheem Morris, though bigger names are also being considered for that Los Angeles-based gig. McVay’s success has brought steady turnover on his staff, with a handful of staffers rising to the HC or coordinator ranks elsewhere. Shula spending all seven seasons on McVay’s staff has represented rare continuity for the NFC West team.
Shula coached the Rams’ DBs in 2022 but has spent the other six seasons in L.A. working with the team’s linebackers. During the team’s Super Bowl-winning slate and this past season, Shula coached L.A.’s LBs. The third-generation NFL coach broke into the league as a quality control staffer with the Chargers. Here is how the Dolphins’ DC search looks as of Thursday morning:
- Bobby Babich, linebackers coach (Bills): Interview requested; promoted to Bills DC
- Anthony Campanile, inside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview blocked
- Leslie Frazier, former defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/30
- Ryan Slowik, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview expected
- Chris Shula, linebackers coach/pass-rush coordinator (Rams): To interview 2/1
- Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): Interviewed
Dolphins To Conduct DC Interviews With Anthony Weaver, Chris Kiffin
Anthony Weaver is still in the running for a head coaching opportunity, but he has also drawn interest for a coordinator vacancy. The Ravens’ defensive line coach will interview with the Dolphins for their DC position, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
As Weaver toggles his status on the HC and DC carousels, the Dolphins are also preparing to interview Texans linebackers coach Chris Kiffin. That meeting will take place Friday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
Despite the Dolphins giving Vic Fangio a contract worth more than $4.5MM annually — a deal believed to have the veteran coach positioned as NFL’s highest-paid DC — the team is searching for a defensive play-caller for a second straight offseason. The Eagles have since brought Fangio back to Philly.
Weaver, 43, is the rare position coach to receive a second interview for a head coaching position. The former NFL D-lineman has coordinator experience, but just one year of it; and that came for a 4-12 Texans team. Weaver has been the Ravens’ D-line coach since leaving Houston, and interested teams now have Justin Madubuike‘s monster contract year to factor into their decisions.
Although Weaver interviewed for the Falcons’ HC job and remains in the running in a Commanders search that has since changed after Ben Johnson‘s surprising decision Tuesday morning, he has not interviewed for a defensive coordinator job during this cycle. The Dolphins are the only team to request an audience with the veteran assistant regarding a DC post. Weaver’s second Commanders HC interview occurred Monday.
This is new territory for Kiffin, who joined DeMeco Ryans‘ team during the 2023 offseason. The son of famed DC Monte Kiffin, Chris moved up from the college ranks in 2018 to join Kyle Shanahan‘s staff. He overlapped with Mike McDaniel in San Francisco from 2018-19, when the current Dolphins HC was the 49ers’ run-game coordinator. Kiffin, who assisted as a 49ers pass rush specialist, coached the Browns’ D-line for three seasons (2020-22).
As of Tuesday afternoon, here is how the Dolphins’ DC search looks:
- Bobby Babich, linebackers coach (Bills): Interview requested
- Anthony Campanile, inside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview blocked
- Leslie Frazier, former defensive coordinator (Bills): To interview 1/30
- Chris Kiffin, linebackers coach (Texans): To interview 2/2
- Ryan Slowik, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview expected
- Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): Interviewed
- Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach (Ravens): To interview
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Brandon Staley Meets With Packers, Dolphins; Rams To Conduct DC Interview
JANUARY 30: The Rams indeed have interest in bringing Staley back. The former Chargers HC will interview for Raheem Morris‘ old job Wednesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.
Staley cemented his place as a top HC candidate in 2021 by overseeing a No. 1-ranked Rams defense. While Staley’s Chargers defenses could not justify the franchise’s investment, the 2020 Rams ranked first in scoring defense and yardage allowed. With multiple teams pursuing the three-year HC, an immediate move back to a coordinator job may be in the cards.
JANUARY 26: A short list of names worth watching quickly emerged for the Packers’ defensive coordinator position once Joe Barry was fired earlier this week. Green Bay had yet to line up an interview, but that has now changed. 
[RELATED: Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker]
The Packers are speaking with Brandon Staley for their DC position, Matt Schneidman and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report. Staley’s first head coaching gig, which came with the Chargers, certainly did not go according to plan. He was let go midway through the 2023 season, his third in Los Angeles. A coordinator role likely awaits him in his next NFL opportunity.
Staley was not originally thought to be under consideration for Green Bay, but he is indeed meeting with the team today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. This Packers summit represents the first firm interest shown in the 41-year-old, but it does not appear to be the last. Schefter adds that Staley will interview with the Dolphins for their DC posting this weekend, and that a Rams reunion could be on the table.
Miami moved on from Vic Fangio after just one season at the helm, and he has already taken the Eagles’ DC role. The Dolphins thus have a notable vacancy to fill, and their upcoming Staley interview is the team’s first known one to fill the position. Miami underperformed relative to expectations at times during the season, although by the playoffs the team’s defense was ravaged by injuries. A number of key roster pieces are in place on that side of the ball.
Like the Dolphins, the Rams made it to the wild-card round of the postseason this year. Morris played a key role in that success, and he landed the Falcons’ head coaching position in a return to Atlanta. Staley could embark on a reunion of his own by taking the Rams’ DC position, one which he held in 2020. The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue names Staley as a potential candidate for the gig (subscription required).
Despite his background, Staley’s Chargers never ranked better than 20th in total defense. That, coupled with a regression on offense in 2023, helped inform the team’s decision to dismiss him and general manager Tom Telesco. The latter has already landed the Raiders’ GM job, but it will be interesting to see where (and in what capacity) Staley winds up. Today’s update certainly point to competition for his services in a coordinator role being a distinct possibility.