John Fox has been fired, but not many Chicago Bears fans are broken up about it. On the other hand they’ve been on pins and needles regarding the status of Vic Fangio. The defensive coordinator finished 2017 on a high note. His unit went 10th in total yards and eighth in points allowed for the season. It was a remarkable job considering the number of injuries he had to deal with.
Now his contract is up. People aren’t sure what his fate will be. Some are deathly afraid he’ll replace Dom Capers in Green Bay. Others wonder if he might try to find a job back on the west coast where the weather is better. At the same time the lingering question remains. Is there any way for the team to keep him?
That’s the biggest unknown. The Bears at least offered their opinion of his coaching prowess today by conducting an interview for the vacant head coaching position. It’s no secret Fangio has thought about being one the past couple years. However at age 59 that window may be closing.
#Bears GM Ryan Pace interviewed Vic Fangio for the head coaching position today.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 3, 2018
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Are the Bears prepared to lose their best assistant coach? Not just yet.
Bears brass may be seeking a way to entice Vic Fangio to stay
This is a situation the Bears know well. Back in 2013 they were anxious to keep then-defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli on the staff. Unfortunately his loyalty to Lovie Smith and dislike of incoming head coach Marc Trestman forced him to step down. Five years later they face almost the same exact situation. Can they change the outcome, or do they even want to? According to source that’s definitely the case.
“The Bears Are strongly determined to keep Vic Fangio and are discussing ways to keep him aboard.”
Fans aren’t the only ones who would love Fangio to stay. More than one player has voiced his outspoken opinion on the matter. He’s both loved and respected in the locker room. Everybody feels this defense has something good going. One more strong influx of talent and they could be one of the best in the NFL. It’s not hard to imagine GM Ryan Pace and his staff recognizing that.
Now whether they are ultimately able to convince to sign a new deal? That’s the tricky part. It rests on two factors: whether Fangio is interested in staying and what it would take to accomplish. Most likely a combination of a pay raise and hiring a head coach he respects would do the trick. Who might that coach be?
Only he knows that for sure. The next couple weeks could be fascinating.
