Vic Fangio’s Return Keeps Eagles in the NFC Mix - and the Bears on Alert
The Chicago Bears may have hoped for a quieter offseason in Philadelphia, but that wish just got dashed. Vic Fangio, the architect of the Eagles’ formidable defense, is sticking around for another year.
After some speculation about retirement, Fangio has reportedly decided to return as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for a third season. At 67, he’s still one of the sharpest minds in the game, and his decision to stay keeps Philadelphia’s defense firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s most disciplined and dangerous units.
That’s not exactly welcome news in Chicago.
The Bears handled the Eagles 24-15 in their lone regular-season meeting last year, a statement win that showed just how far Chicago has come - and how far Philly still has to go on the offensive side of the ball. But anyone who watched that game closely knows the score didn’t tell the full story.
The Eagles’ defense, even under pressure from repeated offensive miscues, showed flashes of elite-level execution. Fangio’s group didn’t fold - they were just asked to do too much.
Had Fangio walked away, it would’ve been a significant blow to the Eagles’ hopes of staying in the NFC playoff hunt. His departure could’ve marked the beginning of a reset in Philly.
Instead, his return signals that the Eagles aren’t ready to fade quietly. They’re still in the mix - especially if they can figure out their offensive identity.
There is, however, a silver lining for Chicago. Philadelphia is undergoing a shift on offense, bringing in former Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion to take over as offensive coordinator. That’s a notable change, and while Mannion is respected, it’s a new system, new voice, and a transition period that could work in the Bears’ favor - at least early in the season.
For Bears fans, Fangio’s return is frustrating, but not devastating. Chicago already proved it can beat a Fangio-coached defense.
They put up 24 points in that win and showed they weren’t intimidated by his schemes. The Bears are still ahead of the Eagles in the NFC pecking order - for now.
But Fangio’s presence does keep Philly in the picture. With his defense holding opponents to just 19.3 points per game last season, the Eagles were never far from contention.
The issue was never the defense - it was the offense’s inability to stay on the field and capitalize on opportunities. If Mannion can bring some stability and spark to that side of the ball, the Eagles could quickly become a problem again.
Chicago, meanwhile, continues to build momentum. They’ve emerged as one of the NFC’s most promising young teams, and their win over Philadelphia was more than just a feather in the cap - it was a measuring stick. The Bears aren’t just chasing playoff berths anymore; they’re setting the standard for what a rising contender looks like.
Still, Fangio’s decision ensures that the Eagles won’t be an afterthought in 2026. They may not be back to their 2024 Super Bowl form, but they’re not going away either. And with a defense this good, they don’t need to be perfect on offense - just competent.
For now, the Bears remain in the driver’s seat. But with Fangio back in the fold, the road through the NFC just got a little tougher.