Bears Gaining Ground While Eagles Face Uncertainty Around Vic Fangio’s Future
The Chicago Bears may have turned a corner in 2025, and if early signs are anything to go by, they’re entering the 2026 season with more than just momentum-they’re entering with confidence. After a 24-15 win over the Philadelphia Eagles last season, the Bears not only made a statement on the scoreboard but also exposed deeper cracks in a once-dominant Eagles team. And now, with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s return reportedly in question, the NFC landscape could be shifting even further in Chicago’s favor.
Let’s be clear: Fangio’s presence on the Eagles’ sideline has been one of the few stabilizing forces in an otherwise turbulent Philadelphia locker room. His defense brought the kind of edge and discipline that made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks-including Caleb Williams, who faced one of his toughest matchups of the year against Fangio’s unit.
But even with that challenge, the Bears found a way to win. And if Fangio doesn’t return in 2026, that task could get a whole lot easier.
The uncertainty surrounding Fangio’s future comes at a time when Chicago is riding high. The Bears are coming off a season that solidified their status as a legitimate NFC contender, and their win over the Eagles wasn’t just a fluke-it was a blueprint.
They pressured Jalen Hurts, forced turnovers, and capitalized on a defense that, while still talented, couldn’t keep up for four quarters. If Fangio exits, the Eagles lose the one area where they consistently held an edge.
And that’s a big deal. Fangio’s track record speaks for itself.
He was the architect behind the Eagles’ elite 2024 Super Bowl run, a campaign that saw his defense shut down the Kansas City Chiefs and make Patrick Mahomes look mortal-something few have managed to do. That version of the Eagles’ defense was fast, physical, and surgical.
But last season? That identity faded, and without Fangio, it risks disappearing altogether.
For Chicago, this isn’t just about one coach-it’s about the bigger picture in the NFC. With the Eagles potentially taking a step back, the Bears can narrow their focus to a smaller group of serious challengers.
The Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks remain in the mix, but Philadelphia? They’re trending in the wrong direction, and the possible loss of Fangio only adds to the instability.
It’s also worth noting that the Eagles still have more veteran talent on paper than the Bears. But talent doesn’t always translate to wins-especially when the locker room feels more like a collection of individuals than a cohesive team.
That’s where Chicago has the edge. The Bears play with unity and purpose.
They’ve bought into a system, and the results are showing. The Eagles, meanwhile, continue to battle internal noise and a growing list of question marks.
Fangio’s defense had been the exception to that trend-a disciplined, high-performing unit in a franchise that’s otherwise struggled to stay on track. His potential departure doesn’t just weaken the Eagles’ defense; it removes the one identity they could still hang their hat on. And with a 2026 rematch between these teams already on the schedule, the timing of this uncertainty couldn’t be more impactful.
So while nothing is official yet, the Bears have every reason to keep an eye on Fangio’s decision. If he calls it a career, it’s another sign that the balance of power in the NFC is shifting.
Chicago isn’t just knocking on the door-they’re ready to walk through it. And if one of their biggest roadblocks is stepping aside, that path gets a little clearer.