After the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Houston Texans 34-10 this past weekend, the team’s coaching staff is still in hot demand. The Atlanta Falcons have asked to have second interviews with Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald and Associate Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach Anthony Weaver, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday.
After interviewing with the Falcons and Carolina Panthers so far, Macdonald still has inquiries from the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. Weaver was asked to interview with the Commanders and has barely finished his initial interview with the Falcons.
Both coaches, who face fierce competition from future Hall of Famers to become Atlanta’s next head coach, conducted these interviews on their own time away from the facility. Among the five candidates who have either finished or are set for a second interview are seven-time Super Bowl winner coach Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh, the brother of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who recently won a national collegiate championship.
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As he continues his second season as the play-caller and coordinator for the Ravens defence, which dominated play for the most of the season, Macdonald (36) is witnessing a blend of exceptional young talent and seasoned veterans produce at high levels. His squad became the first in NFL history to lead the league in takeaways (31), sacks (60), and points allowed per game (16.5) at the end of the season. A number of players are enjoying successful careers and will be able to cash in when free agency opens in March. In spite of not having a single sack or takeaway, the Ravens put on another outstanding performance against the Houston Texans in the divisional round, giving up only three scores and 213 yards of total offence.
Weaver, 43, is a former athlete who is now a coach. He joined the team in 2021, serving as Harbaugh’s right-hand man since 2022. That season, he oversaw the run game for the No. 1 ranked rush defence. He headed the committee that led to the hiring of Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken who has been a smashing success in his first year on the job and had franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson set to win his second-career league MVP accolade.
