The Miami Dolphins seemingly improved their coaching staff this offseason by parting ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio following a challenging end to 2023. The players appeared to be unresponsive to his strategies, prompting the team to move on. Although it was officially described as a mutual departure, Fangio wasn’t exactly transforming Miami into a defense akin to the ’85 Bears.
The reaction from several prominent Dolphins players after his departure suggested that there was a collective desire for a new beginning on the defensive front. Fangio, who reportedly left Miami to be nearer to his family in Pennsylvania, took on the role of defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Dolphins brought in Anthony Weaver, a former Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach, who had played under Fangio in Houston, to fill the vacancy.
Thus far, Philadelphia seems to have benefitted from this swap of defensive expertise. With the Eagles currently boasting a 9-2 record and ranking within the top five across all key defensive metrics, some in Miami might be regretting their decision to let Fangio join Philadelphia. It’s evident that one of the most esteemed defensive strategists in league history, who has been orchestrating top-tier defenses since the 1980s, hadn’t lost his touch when he arrived in South Florida.
The Miami Dolphins appear to have made a misstep in dismissing Vic Fangio, given the Philadelphia Eagles’ subsequent success. The Eagles have clinched eight consecutive victories, dominating the NFC and securing wins against some of the AFC’s finest. While Saquon Barkley and an exceptional running game contribute significantly, the defense has been exceptional of late.
The Eagles are permitting the fewest yards per game in the league and rank fourth in points conceded, despite starting two rookies in the secondary. Miami might be performing adequately, ranking eighth in fewest points conceded and 14th in points allowed, yet a clear disparity exists between them and Philadelphia.
A part of why the decision to let Fangio go is regrettable is how relieved some players felt when his departure became official. Though he can be somewhat stern and demanding, the Eagles appear to be responding well to his guidance.
Hiring Weaver has provided the Dolphins with their best defense during the McDaniel era. However, in comparison to Fangio, it raises the question of how the Dolphins might have fared had they retained him for just one more year.
