Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke about retirement at the end of the 2025 NFL season, and the team still doesn’t have a final decision from Fangio on whether he’ll coach in 2026, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Fangio, 67, reportedly also considered retirement last offseason, but ultimately came back. The coach reportedly committed to the team for 2026, but left open the possibility that he could change his mind.
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While the team is reportedly hopeful Fangio will return, it was concerned enough about his retirement that it reached out to former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, according to the Philly Voice. Gannon, however, agreed to join the Green Bay Packers as the team’s defensive coordinator, taking him off the table if Fangio retires.
The Eagles also considered reaching out to former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, according to the Philly Voice. Schwartz was passed over for the Browns’ head-coaching job — with the team instead hiring Todd Monken. Schwartz reportedly wants out of Cleveland after that decision.
To further complicate matters, the Eagles lost defensive pass-game coordinator Christian Parker to the Dallas Cowboys. Parker was viewed as a possible replacement for Fangio, per the Inquirer, but is now out of the picture after agreeing to be the Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator. If Fangio leaves, Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt does have experience as a defensive coordinator.
Fangio has a long history of success around the NFL, and remains one of the most feared defensive coordinators around. Thanks to Fangio’s scheme, the Eagles’ defense ranked 5th in points allowed in 2025. The Eagles ranked 2nd in that stat during Fangio’s first season with the team.
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Fangio has been a consistent presence as a coordinator in the NFL since 1995, when he was first elevated to a defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers. He’s held that role with a number of teams over his NFL career, including the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins.
After years of success in that role, Fangio finally got his first head-coaching job in 2019 with the Denver Broncos. He spent three seasons with the team, putting up a 19-30 record. After being fired, Fangio spent one year with the Dolphins before joining the Eagles. He led Philadelphia’s defense to a Super Bowl win in his first season with the team.
