Anthony Weaver just dropped valuable insight into Dolphins star's stunning decline
Posted October 25, 2025
Zach Sieler is not having the kind of season Miami Dolphins fans are used to seeing from the recently extended defensive tackle. Now, his defensive coordinator may let slip why that is.
Anthony Weaver spoke with the local media on Thursday and was asked about the absence of Christian Wilkins and Calais Campbell. Weaver said their absence from the roster may be
Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver concedes partnerships with Christian Wilkins and Calais Campbell really worked for Zach Sieler in last 2 years. Weaver cites it as a factor for why Zach’s statistics are down.
Dolphins' Zach Sieler is struggling with inexperienced rookies playing next to him
It may seem as though Weaver's comments are a derogatory swipe at Sieler, but it's more likely an admission of facts. Sieler is trying to carry a defensive line that has two rookies struggling every Sunday. To say that first-round pick Kenneth Grant has been a disappointment so far is an understatement.
Grant hasn't been able to generate any consistency since the season started. Many are wondering whether his play at Michigan was good because Mason Graham, another first-round pick this year, was playing next to him. So far, that seems to be the case.
At the same time, there are those wondering whether Sieler's play over the last two seasons was also a result of the guys he was lining up with.
There is no question that Sieler and Wilkins knew each other's moves inside and out. They were best friends on the field and off of it. When Wilkins left, some wondered if Sieler could carry the team. Miami signed Campbell in free agency, and there was no drop-off in production.
Now, those same fans are starting to question whether Sieler deserved the contract extension and the money he received. It's not a fair comparison, given that offensive linemen aren't too concerned about putting a double-team on Grant. That means they can plan better to keep Sieler out of the backfield.
Grant has to find a way to get better. The Dolphins invested a first-round pick on the DT, and so far, like Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round, it isn't paying off, and Sieler is suffering as a result. This is more on the Dolphins' front office than it is on Sieler, who amassed 10 sacks in each of the last two seasons.
Lions Get Bad News on Next Opponent’s Star Player
The Detroit Lions are locked in a tight race for supremacy in the NFC North, and could be facing a big challenge in their coming game against a division rival.
The Lions are in their bye week this weekend, a time they will use to rest and hopefully recover from some of the injuries that have been mounting, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But this week will also give the rival Minnesota Vikings the chance to get their starting quarterback ready for the matchup against the Lions next week.
Lions Expected to Face J.J. McCarthy in Next Week’s Game
As The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reported, McCarthy is in position to return to his starting position next week against the Lions. McCarthy has missed the last five games with a high ankle sprain, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Friday that the second-year quarterback is making good progress toward his return.
“He got some work today and he will hopefully get some work throughout the early part of the week, which will lead him into a full week of preparation,” O’Connell said.
O’Connell added that McCarthy would spend the bye week getting back into rhythm and rebuilding a rapport with his wide receivers.
“For J.J., it’s going to be about the commitment that he’s made throughout his rehab of getting back to those concrete fundamentals and techniques that allow his feet and eyes to work together and find completions to any one of our five eligibles, whether it’s a receiver or T.J. (Hockenson) or even Aaron Jones or Jordan (Mason) or Zay (Zavier Scott) out of the backfield,” O’Connell said.
The Vikings struggled with veteran Carson Wentz under center. The ailing veteran completed 15-of-27 passes for 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, playing through some obvious pain.
The Vikings put a lot of faith in McCarthy, allowing veteran Sam Darnold to leave in free agency after he led the team to a 14-3 record last year following a season-ending injury for McCarthy. The second-year quarterback showed some promise in his start to 2025, but the high-ankle injury has raised new concerns about whether he might be too injury-prone.
Lions Could Get Some Help on the Injury Front
While the Lions will have to face McCarthy next week, they will also have some help on the way as their own players recover from injuries. Jimmy Liao of USA Today’s Lions Wire reported that Detroit will have several players returning over the coming weeks, including safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph next week, with cornerback Terrion Arnold and running back Sione Vaki returning the next week.
They will have more returns in the weeks that follow, including cornerback DJ Reed, defensive lineman Marcus Davenport, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
While the returns will help bolster a Lions defense that has now faced two years of mounting injuries, the team could also look to bring in outside help. Some insiders predict the Lions will seek defensive help at the trade deadline, boosting depth in their secondary or defensive line.
