The Fate of Vic Fangio After 2017 Is Looking Cloudier Than Ever

Vic Fangio has begun to garner some serious Buddy Ryan love around Chicago of late. In other words he's a veteran defensive coordinator who is easily having more success than anybody with the Bears as of now. His defense is one of the best in the NFL. It's ninth against the pass, 11th against the run, and hasn't surrendered an offensive touchdown in two weeks. To top it off they've scored three defensive touchdowns in that same span. Fans are singing his praises, as are the players. Definitely a Ryan vibe to it. Of course this has led to the inevitable speculation. How much longer will he be around? This is a loaded question for several reasons. There are so many things in play here that could determine Fangio's fate after 2017. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune did a good job of laying out the situation as it stands. Among the factors in play are Fangio's contract, his status on the head coaching circuit and whether he has interest in remaining with John Fox.

Vic Fangio name is rising and contract is fading

"Fangio’s three-year contract expires at the end of the season. What that means for 2018 is impossible to say right now. I’d imagine Fangio, when the timing is right, would like to be considered for potential head-coaching vacancies. He hasn’t gotten a lot of attention in that regard in the past. If the Bears defense continues to play well, maybe his name will be more popular come January. Fangio likely would have headed to San Francisco with Kyle Shanahan in the offseason had the Bears not blocked him from talking to the 49ers. It’s premature to say what will happen when this season ends."

The contract situation might prove the most difficult. No doubt there are plenty in Chicago dying to make sure Fangio stays put. Many current players would be included in that group. Several of them have explained just how vital he is to their run of recent success. Problem is what they want and what he wants are two different things. It's obvious Fangio is determined to be a head coach. Thus far he's failed to claim that prize despite having the best run of NFL success in his career dating back to 2011. At 59-years old though he's running out of time. This strong performance in Chicago may be his last springboard to seize the opportunity. Then there's the persistent rumor he wants out.

One can't forget the reported Fox tension from last year

The rumor that Fangio was interested in returning to San Francisco wasn't the first buzz of its kind. Back in December of 2016 Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Tribune published a piece indicating a rift between the defensive coordinator and head coach John Fox. Something that centered around "philosophical differences." Many thought Fox would part ways with his defensive coordinator. Both denied any truth to the rumors. The fact that Fangio stayed aboard pretty much put that issue to bed. At least for another year. Now the contract situation comes into play. Was Fangio simply being a good soldier and biding his time until he could get out without any controversy? Add things up and it's hard not to see that as a possibility. Losing quality coordinators is part of the NFL business. Whether the Bears could survive without Fangio just when things are getting good is something fans don't want to think about.