What Chicago feared has come true, the Bears are losing defensive coordinator Vic Fangio after the Denver Broncos have reportedly hired him as their next head coach. NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the Broncos have signed Fangio to a four-year deal with a fifth year team option.
Fangio was bound to get a fair amount of looks for head coaching openings after the success he had in Chicago this season leading them to the best defense in the NFL. Under Fangio in 2018, the Bears defense was first in the league in takeaways (36), first in interceptions (27), first in rushing yards per game (80.0), third in yards per game (299.7), third in sacks (50.0) and first in points allowed per game (17.7). The accolades don’t stop there, the Bears also will be sending OLB Khalil Mack, DT Akiem Hicks, CB Kyle Fuller and S Eddie Jackson to the Pro Bowl and three more defensive players were named as alternates in OLB Leonard Floyd and ILBs Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith. Additionally Mack, Jackson and Fuller were named AP First Team All-Pros.
The 60-year old, Fangio has absolutely earned this opportunity but it does come as a slight surprise in today’s NFL that is all about offense and hiring young offensive minded head coaches. So far, of the five teams to hire head coaches this offseason, four have been offensive coaches and the fifth is Fangio who edged out Pittsburgh Steelers OC Mike Munchak.
The Bears have their work cut out for them trying to replace one of the best defensive coaches in the NFL but they should have plenty of suitors. With a defense led by Khalil Mack, the Bears will have one of the most sought after coordinator openings in the NFL so they will have plenty of options.