As the head-coaching carousel speeds up this week, the Saints are proceeding with two of the Bears‘ candidates in mind.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, both of whom interviewed with the Bears, are expected to be in Louisiana for in-person interviews this week, NFL Network reported. The Saints plan to sit down with Kafka on Tuesday and Weaver on Wednesday.
The process likely will speed up after the Lions lost in the playoffs Saturday, freeing up top candidates Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. The Bears interviewed both of them as well and likely have Johnson rated as their top candidate. Johnson has been in demand the last three hiring cycles, and the Raiders and Jaguars are expected to make a strong push for him as well.
Kafka, 37, grew up in Chicago and played quarterback at St. Rita High School and Northwestern. He worked under Matt Nagy as an assistant with the Chiefs and has been the Giants’ offensive coordinator since 2022. The Giants have finished 15th, 30th and 31st in scoring in his three seasons.
Weaver, 44, played defensive end at Notre Dame and was a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2002. After seven seasons in the NFL, he got his starting in coaching at the University of Florida in 2010. The Dolphins hired him as defensive coordinator a year ago when Vic Fangio left for the Eagles.