The Eagles have to be ready to pivot at any moment, with one of the franchise’s icons still unsure about returning next season.
According to PhillyVoice Eagles reporter Jimmy Kempski, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio informed the Eagles after the 2025 season that he planned to retire, but the team’s brass has convinced him to stay for another season. Despite those intentions, The Philadelphia Inquirer and NFL Network both reported that Fangio could still ultimately retire.
If that were to happen, the Eagles could be in trouble.
Fangio transformed Philadelphia’s defense into an elite unit in his first season last year. It’s a big reason why the Eagles won a Super Bowl last February and reached the playoffs again this past season. It would be difficult to make a run without Fangio next season, but the Eagles must be prepared for that possibility.
Before convincing Fangio to return, the Eagles reached out to former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and checked on the availability of another former Philadelphia DC, Jim Schwartz, according to Kempski.
Gannon has since taken the Packers’ DC job, and Schwartz reportedly wants to leave Cleveland after being passed over for the head-coaching role.
The Eagles likely still have a list of potential candidates who could replace Fangio if he changes his mind.
Here are five names who could make sense:
At the top of the list would be Schwartz, who served as the Eagles’ DC when the team won its first Super Bowl during the 2017–18 season. Over the last three years, Schwartz has enjoyed even greater individual success as the Browns’ DC, helping Cleveland finish with top-five defenses in two of those seasons. The biggest challenge in bringing Schwartz back would be reinstalling a new defensive scheme.
Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott
Over the past few years, McDermott’s defenses have underperform, though personnel issues deserve more of the blame than his scheme.
McDermott, who is still respected as one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, coached in Philadelphia from 2001 to 2010, spending his last two years as the team’s defensive coordinator. He probably wouldn’t be as strong of a choice as Schwartz, but he’s not a bad fallback option.
Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann
The Eagles interviewed Schumann after the 2023 season for their DC job, but they ultimately chose Sean Desai for that role. If Fangio retires soon, they could revisit with Schumann.
Schumann, who has led one of college football’s top defenses since 2019, would reunite with several former Georgia players now on the Eagles’ roster. His main drawback is his lack of NFL experience.
Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt
The first of two in-house options, Hurtt could be considered for a promotion if Fangio leaves. However, he has already interviewed for the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job, so he might not be available to the Eagles by the time Fangio makes his final decision.
Hurtt has turned Philadelphia’s interior defensive line into one of the league’s best units over the past two years. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter became an All-Pro last year, Jordan Davis developed into a borderline All-Pro this past season and Moro Ojomo has emerged into one of the league’s most impactful interior pass rushers.
Eagles linebackers coach Bobby King
King is one of the league’s best linebackers coach, helping career special teamer Zack Baun develop into an All-Pro last season. Nakobe Dean has also blossomed into a star under his coaching. If promoted, King could maintain Fangio’s system, keeping the linebackers as the main focal point of the defense.