Report: Eagles are “confident” Vic Fangio will return in 2026, despite retirement buzz

Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was seriously considering retirement. The concern was real enough that the team’s brass began reaching out to familiar names to potentially fill the role, including Jonathan Gannon and Jim Schwartz.

Now, it appears that scare has passed. Per EJ Smith, the Eagles are confident Fangio will return in 2026.

Vic Fangio is running it back for one last hoorah with the Eagles

While Vic Fangio did seriously entertain retiring as recently as last week, my understanding that is no longer the case and that the #Eagles are confident in his return at this point after much persuasion.

He's expected to be back as defensive coordinator next season.

— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) February 2, 2026

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Losing Vic Fangio this offseason, after the drawn-out offensive coordinator search and Christian Parker leaving for Dallas, would have been disastrous. There’s no other way to put it.

There simply isn’t a world where the Eagles lose Fangio out of the blue and still contend for a Super Bowl next season. He’s that important to this team and this defense. Having his knowledge in the building is invaluable, even for the offensive side of the ball. With a 33-year-old OC now in charge, having Fangio to lean on in certain situations could end up being a massive asset.

Thankfully, we won’t have to speculate on that. Fangio is back for at least one more season, which means the Birds’ defense should be lights out once again.