A New Name Has Popped Up On Chicago Bears Head Coach Radar

It was only a matter of time before more names started emerging for the Chicago Bears head coaching job. We’ve heard the usual suspects plenty of times already. Ben Johnson, Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Flores, Pete Carroll, Mike Vrabel, Liam Coen, Joe Brady, and Mike McCarthy have all been mentioned. So has Aaron Glenn. However, insiders believe the search would encompass anywhere from 12-14 names. Maybe more. That meant somebody new would emerge in the rumor mill as Black Monday drew ever closer.

We finally have a new name to include. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Bears are interested in meeting with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

The Bears are gearing up for their head-coaching search, and a few big names are already on their radar: Vrabel, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins’ DC. GM Ryan Poles has been doing serious homework on these candidates, particularly Weaver.

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 44-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.

The inclusion of Weaver will be a surprise to many.

It shouldn’t be. The 44-year-old has quietly done a tremendous job in his first season as a coordinator. Weaver inherited a defense that had ranked 22nd in points allowed last season and lost one of their best players, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, to free agency and their best pass rusher, Bradley Chubb, to a season-ending injury. Miami ranks 8th in points allowed this season.

The Chicago Bears’ interest in Weaver is justified.

People will categorize him as just another Matt Eberflus because he comes from a defensive background. That is neither fair nor true. Weaver was a defensive lineman out of Notre Dame who became a 2nd round pick. He spent seven seasons in the NFL playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. That time was spent learning under Brian Billick and Gary Kubiak, two offensive head coaches. After a brief stint at various college jobs, he got his break into the pros with the Jets in 2012 under Rex Ryan. Weaver quickly earned a reputation as a quality defensive line coach.

He routinely produced excellent results everywhere he went. Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, and Jerry Hughes all had 10+ sacks in 2013, and Paul Kruger had a career-high 11 with the Browns in 2014. Jadeveon Clowney made all three of his Pro Bowl appearances under his direction. Now, he’s managed to rescue a defense that appeared fractured and dysfunctional after what happened last season.

Yes, Weaver is a defensive guy. However, a vast majority of his NFL experience has come under offensive guys. Not to mention John Harbaugh in Baltimore. He has a firm grasp of what it would take to cultivate the quarterback position. Does that mean the Chicago Bears will hire him? No. It does mean they are justified in speaking with him.