The Falcons have issued close to twelve interview invitations and have taken significant steps forward with several of them. Following an interview with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Atlanta conducted two more interviews with Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Saturday. The interview momentum persisted on Sunday as the Falcons engaged in discussions with Ravens assistant head coach Anthony Weaver and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, as reported by the team’s website.
Evero spent four seasons with the Rams as a safeties coach, defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, helping lead LA to the Super Bowl in 2021. He was then promoted to defensive coordinator in 2022 with the Broncos and was actually requested to interview for the Falcons’ vacant defensive coordinator position before Atlanta hired Ryan Nielsen; Denver blocked the request.
After the 2022 season with the Broncos, he remained coordinator for the Panthers after Denver moved on from Nathanial Hacket. During his time in the Mile High, the Broncos defense was 14th in points allowed and 7th in yards allowed. With the Panthers, Evero’s defense was 4th in yards allowed.
It wouldn’t be the sexiest hire, but he’s clearly capable of putting together a successful defense. Whether that translates to being a good head coach is another thing entirely.
Anthony Weaver is a very interesting candidate that wasn’t on my radar, or most people’s. He’s a much bigger part of Baltimore’s recent success than most average fans are aware.
Not only is he leading a dominant defensive line that ranks in the top 5 in most defensive metrics, including first in sacks and points allowed, but he’s apparently helped lead the club’s 2023 offensive coordinator search, which ended up at Todd Monken, who has been a home run of a hire for Baltimore.
The sexy hire would be a bright, young offensive mind, but the Falcons went that route with Arthur Smith. Arthur Blank could very well decide to go a different route. Being a CEO as a head coach is very important, and Weaver has been learning under the best in John Harbaugh.
The Falcons could do much worse than Anthony Weaver.