Vic Fangio is a lifelong footballer. The 66-year-old Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator has been coaching football since 1979 in various roles at the high school, college and professional levels.
From 2019 to 2021, Fangio served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos – the first time in his career that he held that position. But he has no desire to return to being the head coach of an NFL team in the middle of another coaching cycle where six teams are looking to fill their vacancies.
“No, I’m happy to be here right now,” Fangio said Tuesday during a news conference when asked if he was interested in trying for the head coaching job again.
Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has received interview requests from New Orleans Saints And Jacksonville Jaguars to fill their head coaching vacancies, but Fangio doesn’t want to change positions anymore. Fangio served as a consultant for the Eagles during their Super Bowl run during the 2022 season and suggested he likely would have been the defensive coordinator last season without Jonathan Gannon’s delayed departure as Arizona Cardinals head coach.
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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 Philadelphia. Additionally, he is an avid Phillies fan who works across the street from Citizens Bank Park and attends games during the offseason.
Instead, Fangio will likely finish his football career as Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator, but the job this season is far from over for an Eagles team with Super Bowl aspirations. The goal of lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season will continue 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 and feel for the game. He also highlighted the tough matchup between Josh Jacobs and Green Bay’s running game for the Eagles.
“Well, they have a really good line to start with,” Fangio said. “I think their 5-0 linemen have been there for every play, I think, No. 1. No. 2, they have a great back. Jacobs had as good a year as anyone, and he’s tough to play against. “And they have the play-action passing game. So they have really good big-play receivers that always worry you, and the combination of their ability to throw it down the field and. to execute it is a difficult combination. “
THE The Packers will be without Christian Watsonthe team’s primary deep threat, due to a torn ACL on Sunday, but they have a deep group of skilled players who will pose challenges for Philadelphia.
Besides 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 injured his elbow in the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears on Sunday and did not finish the game, but is expected to play against the Eagles.
“He’s got a big arm,” Fangio said of Love. “He can throw it to all parts of the field with accuracy and touch. He has good movement in the pocket. He’s elusive. And he really fits their offense. This offense needs a guy who can throw it to the field. He can do that. They need a guy who can handle it a little bit and be elusive. He can do that, he’s a great fit for their offense.
Sunday’s match against Green Bay will be a rematch of the season opener in Brazilwhere the The Eagles beat the Packers 34-29.
Fangio said he would go back and watch game film, but both teams have evolved so much since week one.
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In this match, the Eagles were without Rookie cornerback Cooper DeJeanwho became a key chess piece in Fangio’s defense.
DeJean and comrade Rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell have each played a major role for a No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL in the 2024 season.
Fangio said he has been impressed with Mitchell and DeJean all season and believes both are ready for the big stage in the NFL playoffs.
“I think they’re ready,” Fangio said. “They’ve played a lot of great games this season against a lot of quality opponents, and I think they’ll be ready.”
