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Chicago Bears Rumors: Vic Fangio Gone after 2016

By Bill Zimmerman

Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox looks on during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox looks on during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just when you thought this season couldn’t get any worse comes a report that John Fox plans to part ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio after the season.

There are a few different expressions that come to mind when you try to describe the Chicago Bears’ 2016 season. Dumpster fire is certainly one. Train wreck is also a popular choice. Others choose words such as disaster, debacle, embarrassment and humiliation.

Every time the Bears hit rock-bottom, somehow they find a way to keep digging. It finally seemed rock-bottom was in the rear view mirror after a better performance against the Tennessee Titans and a victory against the San Francisco 49ers, but if the following story is true, everyone needs to grab their shovels.

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According to Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Tribune, John Fox plans to part ways with Vic Fangio at season’s end. Mulligan is very clear that this is not a report, only a rumor, and as reporters go, that is a distinct difference. But at the same time, Mulligan states he’s been hearing this speculation for the last month in reliable NFL circles.

Mulligan states that his sources say that Fox will indeed get another season as Bears head coach but that a massive overhaul is planned to the coaching staff. While that would be no surprise on the offensive side of the ball, the defense has put together several solid outings despite injuries, suspensions, and an anemic offense providing them no relief on more than one occasion.

Mulligan is hearing that Fox and Fangio simply aren’t on the same page and it appears that there are philosophical differences as to how the defense should be coached and what schemes and packages should be used.

If this is true, this is a horrible sign for next season’s Bears team and it is disheartening to any fan of the franchise. Fangio has had the defense overachieving for most of the season. With young pieces like Eddie Goldman and Leonard Floyd and acquisitions like Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Akiem Hicks, the defensive unit really appeared close to turning the corner and becoming one of the better defenses in the league.

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) celebrates with Chicago Bears strong safety Deon Bush (26) after forcing a safety on the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) celebrates with Chicago Bears strong safety Deon Bush (26) after forcing a safety on the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Pace has an eye for talent, but he now must prove he can run a franchise. He needs to sit John Fox down and tell him m that Fangio is to remain on as defensive coordinator, if that decision by management is unacceptable to Fox, then he can quit.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a choice with Dirk Koetter and chose their offensive coordinator over head coach Lovie Smith when it appeared that Koetter may leave in the offseason. The Bears must do the same with Fangio.

While Fangio may not have a head coaching job in his future, the franchise must tell him that they believe in him and not Fox. Fangio needs to know the team agrees with his vision and that he is the man to make this defensive unit an elite squad.

If Fox can’t handle it, then he needs to hit the road and the Bears can hire an offensive-minded head coach and have the two men work together. Sure, that’s a recipe for conflict, just like it was in the 1980s with Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan. But you know what? Despite their issues, they won a Super Bowl.

This Bears team has some similarities to the 1981 Bears squad. That team was going backwards but the defense knew it was on the verge of breaking out and the defensive players wrote a letter to George Halas requesting that Buddy Ryan be retained even if head coach Neil Armstrong was fired. The letter work and Ryan’s job was saved and 4 years later the greatest defense of all-time won the franchise a Super Bowl.

I am not saying this team is 4 years away from winning a Super Bowl, nor am I saying this defense will become an all-time great squad, but they are headed in their get direction and that progress should be recognized by the front office and a move like this should not be allowed to be made.

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When head coaches blow up their coaching staffs to save their own hides, it never works out well for the franchise. The Bears are rebuilding and they certainly don’t need to start 2017 with a coach who is on the cusp of being fired. If Fox does lose his job after 2017,  players will be forced to learn a new system again in 2018. Think about the offensive players that would potentially have four offensive coordinators in four years if Fox is fired after the 2017 season and the new head coach in 2018 brings in a new offensive coordinator. That’s not exactly the stability that Pace preached when he was hired.

Vic Fangio isn’t the only excellent defensive coordinator available, but he’s the one the Bears currently have and the one the players believe in. Turning over the defensive coaches is an unnecessary move that is only going to slow the development of a team that’s already staring at another losing season in 2017. Bears fans are fed up with this franchise, and its decisions like this that aren’t going to bring them back any time soon.

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