ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter caused quite a stir when he left a Philly radio station's show with a hint of something big happening for the Philadelphia Eagles. It turns out it was going to happen, but the crisis was averted
Philly Voice Eagles reporter Jimmy Kempski was told by multiple sources that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had originally told the team that he was retiring from the NFL, but the Eagles brass convinced him to stay for one more year. A team spokesman did confirm to Kempski that Fangio was the defensive coordinator, but didn't comment anything further.
Kempski added in his report that the Eagles reached out to former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz about interest in returning to the same role should Fangio retire. Gannon ultimately chose the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator job, and Schwartz's future remains unknown after reportedly being upset about being passed over for the Browns head coach job.
Sources: Eagles considered Jim Schwartz and Jonathan Gannon for defensive coordinator job after Vic Fangio retirement scare https://t.co/cCl7ZbcmfI
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) February 1, 2026
Eagles almost lost Vic Fangio to retirement
Fangio has done a remarkable job over the last two years as the Eagles' defensive coordinator. The 2024 defense was elite, ranking first in yards allowed and second in points, helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl. While the 2025 season was not quite the same, the unit came through and carried Philly into the postseason, finishing 13th in yards and fifth in points.
The NFL has recognized Fangio as one of the best coordinators, as he has been a nominee for Assistant Coach of the Year for two consecutive years. He did not win it in 2024 and is still waiting to hear about this year, but in 2018, he won it as the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator.
While the Eagles did avoid disaster, there might still be questions about how this situation was handled. Anyone would have done the same to convince Fangio to stay, but what about setting the team up for future success?
They could have easily kept former defensive backs coach Christian Parker in the building with the promise of being the defensive coordinator in 2027. Instead, Parker took the defensive coordinator job with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.
Read more: NFL writer might have given Eagles perfect idea to get back at Cowboys
Fangio will be appreciated by the Eagles fan base for staying another year, but it could still change and without a clear backup plan, Philly better come up with a plan for the future quickly.