Vic Fangio Could Find New Job With Bears' Rival, Reports Say
By James Neveau ••
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio may be wearing the headset with the team for the last time on Sunday, but a new report indicates that he may not be unemployed for long.
Fangio, who could be part of a purge of coaches if John Fox is fired as head coach after Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, is being floated as a potential candidate for a coordinator job with the Green Bay Packers if the team decides to part ways with current D.C. Dom Capers.
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: A snow plow is used prior to the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Fans wait for the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns to start at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: The Chicago Bears run out to the field prior to the start of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Jordan Howard #24 and Cody Whitehair #65 of the Chicago Bears celebrate after Howard scored against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears makes an appearance during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: A Chicago Bears fan watches the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: JC Tretter #64 of the Cleveland Browns prepares for the snap in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: A fan watches the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after completing a pass in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears looks to hand the football off in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears attempts to block the kick by Zane Gonzalez #5 of the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears (middle) celebrates with teammates after intercepting the football in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: A fan dressed as Santa during the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: A fan braves the snow during the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears carries the football into the endzone for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears celebrates with Kendall Wright #13 after scoring against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears points to show which way the football should go in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: James Burgess #52 of the Cleveland Browns grabs Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Head coach John Fox of the Chicago Bears runs off of the field after the Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3 at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after getting a first down in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Prince Amukamara #20 of the Chicago Bears picks up a fumble in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Fans cheer during the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Prince Amukamara #20 of the Chicago Bears attempts to tackle Duke Johnson #29 of the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears (left) makes a snow angel with teammates after scoring against the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 24: Nick Kwiatkoski #44 of the Chicago Bears tackles Corey Coleman #19 of the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Capers has served as coordinator under head coach Mike McCarthy since the 2009 season, but with the Packers missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, changes could be coming at Lambeau Field.
There is still a possibility that Fangio could return under a new head coach, or that he could interview to be that new coach with the team should Ryan Pace so desire. The latter scenario seems unlikely, given that he likely would have been named the interim coach had the team chosen to fire Fox midseason, and instead they opted not to give him the audition with the club.
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Prosinski became the 16th player placed on I.R. by the team this season, and he was replaced on the active roster by offensive lineman Brandon Greene. The transaction means that all 10 players who started the season on the Bears' practice squad have now been elevated to their 53-man roster.
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Long’s season came to an end after the team’s Week 13 loss to the San Francisco 49’ers. Long has been dealing with ankle issues all season, but an arm injury finally spelled the end of the road for the lineman.
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Santos injured his groin during pregame warmups prior to the team’s contest against the 49’ers, and he was placed on injured reserve after the game.
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The Bears’ game against the 49’ers proved to be a costly one in terms of injuries, as the lineman was knocked out with a knee injury. The Bears placed him on injured reserve shortly after the loss to San Francisco.
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Irving was injured during a Bears practice prior to their game against the San Francisco 49’ers, and the knee injury he suffered will cost the rookie his remaining five games of the regular season.
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Floyd was having a strong season when he injured his right knee in a game against the Detroit Lions in early November. Floyd did damage to both the MCL and PCL ligaments in the knee, forcing him to be placed on injured reserve.
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Miller suffered a gruesome knee injury during the Bears’ Week 8 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Miller fractured his kneecap and suffered major artery damage, necessitating surgery to save his leg.
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Young suffered a triceps injury against the Packers in Week 4 of the regular season, and was placed on IR after the team’s loss to Minnesota in Week 5.
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Demps fractured his left forearm during the Bears’ Week 3 win over the Steelers.
Freeman, who led the Bears with 12 tackles in Week 1, suffered a pectoral injury and a concussion during the game, and was placed on injured reserve.
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White suffered a broken shoulder blade in the team’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons in week 1 of the regular season, ending his season prematurely for the third consecutive year.
Morgan was placed on injured reserve just before the start of the regular season, and the Bears have not publicly revealed what the injury was.
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Meredith tore his ACL during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.
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Scales suffered a knee injury in the Bears’ preseason game against the Titans, and was replaced on the roster by Andrew DePaola.
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Kush tore his hamstring during a training camp practice in early August.
The former scenario is possible, given the way the defense has improved under his guidance. Players like Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos have helped shore up the team’s secondary along with Kyle Fuller, who is having a career season, and other players like Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman have also seen dramatic successes under Fangio.
Even though that is the case, Fangio’s contract is up at the end of the year, so even if the Bears have visions of keeping him, he could decide to bolt for another job if Fox is given the axe.
