If Matt Nagy was the Bears’ No. 1 priority, then Vic Fangio is 1-A.
As several Chicago Sun-Times stories have made clear, Fangio and his work as the Bears’ defensive coordinator over the past three seasons are integral as the team moves forward.
Bears GM Ryan Pace said: “You know that I have a ton of respect for Vic, and we’re talking to Vic right now. We thought, ‘Let this play out.’ ’’
From Patrick Finley of the Sun-Times:
That strategy appears to be working. Fangio’s chances of returning improved late Tuesday with the Packers reportedly expected to hire Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator and the Chargers retaining coordinator Gus Bradley.
According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rappoport, in all likelihood, the Bears will bring back Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator.
The next domino to fall: There is still work to be done, but the likelihood now is that new #Bears coach Matt Nagy keeps defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The spots are filling up.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 10, 2018
Fangio was one of six candidates who interviewed for the Bears’ head-coaching vacancy after the team fired John Fox.
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The team presented Nagy as the new coach on Tuesday.
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Adam Jahns, who broke the story on Nagy’s hiring, has reported that the Bears strongly want Fangio to return and the 59-year-old veteran has been open to it.
I've tried to be consistent on Vic Fangio. #Bears strongly want him back. He's very open to it. My understanding is that Bears' push only intensified with Matt Nagy. We'll see what happens. But fans should be optimistic.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) January 10, 2018
