The Baltimore Ravens and first-year head coach Jesse Minter have turned to a familiar face to be their newest defensive coordinator, bringing back both a former player and assistant coach.
“Reunion: The Ravens plan to hire Anthony Weaver as their defensive coordinator, sources say,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Monday. “Weaver, 45, played in Baltimore for four seasons, coached there for three and interviewed for their head coaching job. Now he’ll team up with Jesse Minter.”
Weaver spent the last 2 seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.
“Anthony Weaver was a head coaching finalist in Arizona and Pittsburgh but ultimately lands as a job as the Ravens defensive coordinator,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X.
Weaver played defensive end for the Ravens from 2002 to 2005 and was the defensive line coach for the Ravens from 2021 to 2023. Minter was a defensive assistant with the Ravens from 2017 to 2020.
“Although Weaver will hold the title of defensive coordinator, new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter indicated in his introductory news conference last week that he would call the defensive plays for Baltimore,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote on Monday. “Weaver replaces Zach Orr, who struggled in two seasons as the Ravens defensive coordinator. Last season, the Baltimore defense ranked 24th in the NFL, which was only the third time in the last 25 years that the Ravens defense finished in the bottom half of the league.”
Learning More About Anthony Weaver’s Career
Weaver, 45 years old, is a Saratoga Springs, New York, native who starred at Notre Dame before being selected by the Ravens in the second round (No. 52 overall) of the 2002 NFL draft — their second pick after Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed was taken in the first round. Weaver played 7 seasons in the NFL, including his first 4 with the Ravens, and signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans before the 2006 season and spent the last 3 years of his career there.
After his playing career was over, Weaver spent 2 seasons on the college level as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida then linebackers coach at North Texas before making the leap to the NFL in 2012 with the New York Jets.
Weaver has seen quite a few steps on his coaching journey. Along with the Jets, he’s served as a defensive assistant for the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Texans, where he was defensive coordinator in 2020.
The Texans finished 30th in the NFL in team defense in 2020. In 2024, the Dolphins were fifth in the NFL in team defense but dropped to 22nd in 2025.
One Player Could Turn Around Baltimore’s Defense
If Baltimore’s defense is to bounce back after an 8-9 season and missing the playoffs in 2025, it will probably need NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike to return to his elite form after a serious neck injury.
Madubuik, who signed a 4-year, $98 million contract extension before the 2024 season, went on injured reserve following a Week 2 win over the Browns and there have been zero updates on the timeline for his return since then.
Ravens Bring Back Former Player as New Defensive Coordinator