Packers likely to interview Vic Fangio for defensive coordinator job, per report
The Green Bay Packers will reportedly talk to Vic Fangio about the team’s defensive coordinator vacancy.
Fangio would be an excellent hire by the Packers, and now it could happen. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that head coach Mike McCarthy is expected to talk to Fangio.
Fangio became a free agent on Tuesday and is now able to talk to other teams.
He could still return to Chicago, but after interviewing for the Bears’ head coach job, the team instead opted for Matt Nagy.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Fangio is the Packers’ “top choice”.
While the #Bears would like to keep DC Vic Fangio — and new coach Matt Nagy has made moves to do so — the #Packers loom and hope to set an interview. He is considered Green Bay's top choice. NFC North battle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2018
There will be plenty of interest around the league. The Bengals had requested permission to speak to Fangio last week, as reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The Bears said no, but it’s now out of their hands.
It’s obvious why the Bears don’t want to lose Fangio.
He inherited a defense that had ranked No. 30 in the NFL the season prior. That year, 2014, saw Chicago finish No. 30 against the pass, No. 17 against the run and No. 31 in scoring defense.
Fangio’s addition saw immediate results. Just a year later the Bears improved to the No. 14 overall defense — the unit was No. 4 against the pass, No. 22 against the run and No. 20 in scoring defense.
And despite the Bears’ consistent struggles on offense in 2017, Fangio’s defense ranked in the top-10 in a number of key categories.
This season, Chicago finished No. 10 in total defense, No. 7 against the pass, No. 11 against the run and No. 9 in scoring defense.
Lombardi Ave’s Ralph Mancini took an in-depth look at a number of outside candidates for the job. He noted that “Fangio is by far the people’s choice among the Packer faithful and deservedly so”.
Another name to watch is former Browns head coach Mike Pettine. He will interview for the job on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
McCarthy is also considering a number of in-house candidates.
Fangio would be an ideal choice for the job. He could bring immediate results to a Green Bay defense that has underachieved under Dom Capers in recent years.
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But the Packers will have plenty of competition for Fangio’s signature.