Anthony Weaver was a legitimate NFL head coach candidate last offseason and his work in his first year as Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator has only helped his cause.

Weaver, who interviewed for the openings with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders last year, figures to get more interviews in this cycle, and a couple of potential landing spots already have been identified.

Even more specific, Weaver has been identified as a strong candidate for the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, which was vacated when the team fired Matt Eberflus last in the season, according to NFL reporter Diana Russini of The Athletic.

In a story published Saturday, Russini wrote the folllowing about the Bears’ coaching search: “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 Weaver, the Dolphins’ DC. GM Ryan Poles has been doing serious homework on these candidates, particularly Weaver.”

Additionally, Russini wrote that if the Jacksonville Jaguars end up firing head coach Doug Pederson, Weaver would be among the candidates who would be in consideration.

That Weaver would be a hot candidate is no surprise at all, given all the rave reviews he’s gotten at all of his stops, not to mention the Dolphins’ performance on defense this season.

Weaver is aware of his situation, but his focus was solely on trying to get the Dolphins into the playoffs when he conducted his weekly media session Thursday.

“It’s funny because I spoke to my agent last night and he’s like, ‘What are you doing to prepare for those ops?’ ” Weaver said Thursday. “I’m like absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yeah, I’m so focused right now. I’m just controlling what we control, beating the Jets and praying that we get the help we need in order to continue this run. Because I think if we can get in, if we’re blessed with that opportunity, we can make some noise.”

With one game left in the 2024 regular season, we easily can make the determination that the hiring of Weaver to replace Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator was a massive hit for the Dolphins.

The team will go into the season finale against the New York Jets ranked third in the NFL in total defense and tied for eighth in points allowed — all this despite not having Bradley Chubb all season and having Jaelan Phillips for only a month.

The defense also produced the team MVP in lineman Zach Sieler.

If the Dolphins indeed are to make some noise in the first few weeks of January, it’s more than likely it will have to be the defense leading the way given Tua Tagovailoa’s uncertain status because of his hip injury and injuries on the offensive line.

If the Dolphins don’t make any kind of run, Weaver’s focus then would shift to his personal opportunities and the Weaver watch will go into full effect.

And if it turns out he’s one-and-done because he becomes a head coach elsewhere, Weaver can leave knowing he did a great job in his short stint in Miami.

The Miami Heat are in no way forced to part ways with veteran star Jimmy Butler at February’s trade deadline.

Still, it appears the route Miami’s front office is eager to take. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday evening the Heat are looking to move the six-time All-Star forward “as soon as possible.”

“This is a clear-cut end to the Butler-Heat relationship,” Charania began on SportsCenter. “And as stunning as the seven-game suspension was around the league, more than anything, this was an avenue for the Heat to keep Jimmy Butler away from the team over these next couple of weeks. The situation around the Heat with Jimmy Butler there had become unmanageable.”

It seems the Heat partially suspended Butler in an attempt to mediate tension in the locker room. Without the 35-year-old present, the hope is the rest of the team can put their full focus on winning games.

“From my understanding, the goal right now is to move Butler as soon as possible,” Charania said. “And I’m told the Heat have spoken with teams as of Friday about Butler trades, and they will continue to engage with teams.”

Butler will finish serving his suspension when the Heat face the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 17. However, team president Pat Riley and company clearly hope a trade is completed by then.

MORE HEAT NEWS

NBA MVP ‘Pushed’ For His Team To Acquire Jimmy Butler Yet Heat Refused To Engage

Heat Acquire Ideal $163 Million All-Star In Proposed Blockbuster With Warriors, Kings

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

Topline

Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler has been suspended for seven games, the team announced Friday, making the decision one day after Butler suggested a trade from Miami and said he lost his joy for basketball while playing for the team.

Key Facts

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Forbes Valuation

Butler ranked No. 7 on Forbes’ list of the NBA’s highest-paid players in 2024, bringing in $48.8 million on the court and $10 million through off-court business ventures.

Key Background

Butler is now in the final year of his roughly $49 million per season contract with the team. Miami Heat president Pat Riley, who said about a week ago the team had no intention of trading Butler, has had a contentious relationship with the star player. Riley suggested Butler should keep his “mouth shut” after the forward said on social media the Heat would have avoided its first-round playoff exit last season if he were healthy and playing. Riley later announced the Heat would not extend Butler’s contract before the current NBA season. Butler is shooting a career-high 55.3% from the field this season, according to ESPN, which noted his teams have made playoff appearances in 12 of his 13 seasons in the NBA.

Further Reading

Heat not trading All-Star Jimmy Butler, Pat Riley says (ESPN)

The NBA’s Highest-Paid Players 2024 (Forbes)