Vic Fangio is a football lifer. The 66-year-old defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles has been coaching football since 1979 in various roles at the high school, college and professional levels.
From 2019-2021, Fangio served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos – the first time he held the position in his career. But he has no desire to become head coach of an NFL team again amid a new coaching cycle in which six teams look to fill their vacancies.
“No, I’m happy to be here right now,” Fangio said during a news conference Tuesday when asked if he is interested in trying again as head coach.
Eagles offensive coordinator kellen moore has received interview requests from the New Orleans Saints And Jacksonville Jaguars to fill their head coaching vacancies, but Fangio doesn’t want to make another job change. Fangio advised the Eagles during their Super Bowl run during the 2022 season and hinted that he likely would have been the defensive coordinator last season if not for him. Jonathan Gannon’s delayed departure as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
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The Dunmore, Pennsylvania native, who attended East Stroudsburg University, is not far from his hometown, about a two-hour drive from Philly. Additionally, he is an avid Phillies fan who goes to work across the street from Citizens Bank Park and attends games in the offseason.
Instead, Fangio will likely end his football career as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator, but the job this season is far from done for an Eagles team with Super Bowl aspirations. The goal of lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season continues Sunday against the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round of the playoffs at Lincoln Financial Field.
On Tuesday, Fangio praised Packers head coach Matt LaFleur for his play calling and feel for the game. He also highlighted the tough matchup between Josh Jacobs and Green Bay’s running game pose for the Eagles.
“Well, they have a really good line to start with,” Fangio said. “I think their 5-0 linemen have been there every game, I think, No. 1. No. 2, they’ve got a great back. Jacobs has had as good a year as anyone, and he’s difficult to tackle. Runs physical And they have the play-pass game off. So they have very good big play receivers that you always worry about, and the combination of them being able to throw it down the field and execute it is a tough one. combination.
The Packers will be without Christian Watsonthe biggest threat to the team, coming off a torn ACL on Sunday, but they have a deep group of skill position players that will pose challenges for Philadelphia.
In addition to Watson, the Packers had four other players with at least 400 receiving yards, including wide receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks and tight end Tucker Kraft.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered an elbow injury in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears and did not finish the game, but he is expected to play against the Eagles.
“He has a big arm,” Fangio said of Love. “He can throw it with accuracy and feel to all parts of the field. He has good movement in the pocket. He’s elusive. And he really fits into their offense. That offense needs a guy who can throw him down the field. He can do it.” that. They need a guy who can scramble a bit and is elusive. He is a perfect fit for their offense.”
Sunday’s match against Green Bay will be a rematch of the season opener in Brazilvalue Eagles defeated the Packers 34-29.
Fangio said he would go back and watch the film of the game, but both teams have evolved a lot since Week 1.
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The Eagles were without in that game rookie slot cornerback Cooper DeJeanwho has become an important chess piece in Fangio’s defense.
DeJean and colleague rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell have each played important roles for a defense that was ranked No. 1 in the NFL in the 2024 season.
Fangio said he has been impressed with Mitchell and DeJean all season and believes the two are ready for the big stage of the NFL playoffs.
“I think they’re ready,” Fangio said. “They have played in a lot of big games this season against a lot of good opponents, and I think they will be ready.”
