diff --git a/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/base_loader.py b/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/base_loader.py
index f68405d05f87..499b1704eeb0 100644
--- a/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/base_loader.py
+++ b/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/base_loader.py
@@ -71,9 +71,7 @@ def load_model(
 
             # Process weights into kernel format. Note that when using online
             # quantization, weights are (typically) quantized as they are loaded.
-            if _has_online_quant(model):
-                finalize_layerwise_processing(model, model_config)
-
+            finalize_layerwise_processing(model, model_config)
             process_weights_after_loading(model, model_config, target_device)
 
         return model.eval()
@@ -87,12 +85,3 @@ def log_model_inspection(model: nn.Module) -> None:
     from vllm.model_inspection import format_model_inspection
 
     logger.info("vLLM model structure:\n%s", format_model_inspection(model))
-
-
-def _has_online_quant(model: nn.Module):
-    for module in model.modules():
-        quant_method = getattr(module, "quant_method", None)
-        if getattr(quant_method, "uses_meta_device", False):
-            return True
-
-    return False
diff --git a/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/layerwise.py b/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/layerwise.py
index 32cb1b3d5156..f8b8159fd778 100644
--- a/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/layerwise.py
+++ b/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/layerwise.py
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 from weakref import WeakKeyDictionary
 
 import torch
-from compressed_tensors import deprecated
 
 from vllm.config import ModelConfig
 from vllm.logger import init_logger
@@ -42,6 +41,7 @@
 LAYERWISE_INFO: WeakKeyDictionary[torch.nn.Module, LayerReloadingInfo] = (
     WeakKeyDictionary()
 )
+ATTENTION_LAYERS = (Attention, MLAAttention)
 
 
 def get_layerwise_info(layer: torch.nn.Module) -> LayerReloadingInfo:
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ def online_process_loader(*args, **kwargs):
 
         # Process and copy when all weights are loaded
         if info.load_numel >= info.load_numel_total and not isinstance(  # type: ignore[operator]
-            layer, (Attention, MLAAttention)
+            layer, ATTENTION_LAYERS
         ):
             _layerwise_process(layer, info)
 
@@ -186,56 +186,47 @@ def finalize_layerwise_processing(model: torch.nn.Module, model_config: ModelCon
     if hasattr(model, "_original_do_torchao_reload"):
         model._do_torchao_reload = model._original_do_torchao_reload
 
+    # Catch non-attention layers which did not process during loading
     for layer in model.modules():
         info = get_layerwise_info(layer)
-        if not info.can_load():
-            info.reset()
-            continue
 
-        # Attention/MLA layers are processed after all other layers
-        if isinstance(layer, (Attention, MLAAttention)):
-            if info.load_numel > 0:
-                raise NotImplementedError(
-                    "Layerwise reloading of Q/K/V scale weights is not implemented yet"
-                )
-
-            elif info.kernel_tensors is None:
-                raise NotImplementedError(
-                    "Layerwise loading of Q/K/V scale weights is not implemented yet"
-                )
+        if info.can_load() and not isinstance(layer, ATTENTION_LAYERS):
+            # reloading: place kernel tensors back as a smart fallback
+            if info.load_numel <= 0 and info.kernel_tensors is not None:
+                logger.warning("%s: Failed to reload", layer.__class__.__name__)
+                _place_kernel_tensors(layer, info)
 
             else:
-                _place_kernel_tensors(layer, info)
-                layer.process_weights_after_loading(model_config.dtype)
+                logger.debug("%s: Delayed processing", layer.__class__.__name__)
+                _layerwise_process(layer, info)
 
-        # No weights were loaded
-        elif info.load_numel <= 0:
-            # first load but received no weights. This happens on dummy load
-            if info.kernel_tensors is None:
-                materialize_layer(layer)
+            info.reset()
 
-            # reloading: place kernel tensors back as a fallback
-            else:
-                logger.warning("%s: Failed to load weights", layer.__class__.__name__)
+    # Intentionally delay processing for Attention/MLA layers
+    for layer in model.modules():
+        info = get_layerwise_info(layer)
+
+        if info.can_load() and isinstance(layer, ATTENTION_LAYERS):
+            # reloading: place kernel tensors back as a smart fallback
+            # unlike non-attention layers, attention scales are typically not loaded
+            if info.load_numel <= 0 and info.kernel_tensors is not None:
                 _place_kernel_tensors(layer, info)
 
-        # Process non-attention layers which did not load all elements. This can happen
-        # if the created weight has extra padding elements which are not loaded
-        # Having too many of these delayed layers can lead to excess memory usage
-        # see Limitations(4)
-        elif info.load_numel > 0 and info.load_numel < info.load_numel_total:  # type: ignore[operator]
-            logger.debug("%s: Delayed processing", layer.__class__.__name__)
-            _layerwise_process(layer, info)
+            else:
+                _layerwise_process(layer, info)
 
-        info.reset()
+            info.reset()
 
 
-@deprecated("finalize_layerwise_processing")
 def finalize_layerwise_reload(*args, **kwargs):
     finalize_layerwise_processing(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
-def _layerwise_process(layer: torch.nn.Module, info: LayerReloadingInfo):
+def _layerwise_process(
+    layer: torch.nn.Module,
+    info: LayerReloadingInfo,
+    model_config: ModelConfig | None = None,
+):
     """
     Finalize layer loading after all weights have been buffered.
 
@@ -265,9 +256,7 @@ def _layerwise_process(layer: torch.nn.Module, info: LayerReloadingInfo):
 
     # Process weights (quantization, repacking, etc.)
     # Attention/MLA are processed in `finalize_layerwise_reload`
-    quant_method = getattr(layer, "quant_method", None)
-    if isinstance(quant_method, QuantizeMethodBase):
-        quant_method.process_weights_after_loading(layer)
+    _process_layer(layer, model_config)
 
     # Copy processed values into original tensor storage (preserves cudagraph refs)
     # this code is a no-op if not reloading (because kernel tensors is empty)
@@ -284,6 +273,17 @@ def _layerwise_process(layer: torch.nn.Module, info: LayerReloadingInfo):
     logger.debug("%s: Processed", layer.__class__.__name__)
 
 
+def _process_layer(layer: torch.nn.Module, model_config: ModelConfig | None = None):
+    if not isinstance(layer, ATTENTION_LAYERS):
+        quant_method = getattr(layer, "quant_method", None)
+        if isinstance(quant_method, QuantizeMethodBase):
+            quant_method.process_weights_after_loading(layer)
+
+    else:
+        assert model_config is not None, "Must pass model_config to process attention"
+        layer.process_weights_after_loading(model_config.dtype)
+
+
 def _get_original_loader(tensor: torch.Tensor) -> Callable:
     """Return the weight loader with any layerwise wrappers removed"""
     loader = _get_weight_loader(tensor)
diff --git a/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/types.py b/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/types.py
index 20d42414504f..b1506fadcc71 100644
--- a/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/types.py
+++ b/vllm/model_executor/model_loader/reload/types.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class LayerReloadingInfo:
     # model format (meta), populated by `record_metadata_for_reloading`
     restore_metadata: LayerTensors = field(default_factory=lambda: ({}, {}))
 
-    # kernel format (device)
+    # kernel format (device), used to copy into when reloading only
     kernel_tensors: LayerTensors | None = None
 
     # track how many restored elements are ready for loading