The Miami Dolphins made a huge addition to their coaching staff earlier this offseason by hiring Vic Fangio, and it seems like he’s been hard at work.
According to Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who worked with Fangio on the Chicago Bears, the 64-year-old has been bragging to him about creating a new coverage.
“He has been bragging to me about how he created a new coverage,” Nagy said, according to The Athletic’s Dan Pompei. “He knows everyone is trying to get this Vic Fangio Defense. He’s super proud of it and should be.”
It seems like Fangio is going to bring a totally different defensive playbook to South Florida. That should excite Dolphins fans all over.
Renaldo Hill, who worked under Fangio on the Denver Broncos and also joined the Dolphins this offseason, said that Fangio evolves based on offenses.
“There are some forms of his defense out there, but the way he runs it and puts guys in good positions, I don’t think anyone can duplicate that part of it,” said Hill. “People don’t understand it all the way to the core. That’s what makes him special.”
Mike McDaniel and the rest of the Dolphins organization are undoubtedly excited to have such an experienced coach around. The Pennsylvania native will look to improve a defensive unit that allowed 23.5 points per game last season, which ranked 24th in the entire league.
Defense had been a strength for the Dolphins during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but it took a noticeable step back last season. Injuries to key players like Byron Jones and Brandon Jones in the defensive backfield didn’t help at all, and the unit seemingly couldn’t sustain any momentum it gathered.
Cornerback Xavien Howard also struggled a bit, and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer was fired after the season ended with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs.
With Fangio now in the mix alongside new players like Jalen Ramsey and David Long Jr., expectations for Miami’s defense are pretty high.
Fangio has already talked about being “anxious” to try out a new coverage he’s come up with. Perhaps that’s the same coverage he’s been bragging about to Nagy.
Dolphins fans are certainly excited to see how the team’s defense evolves this season under one of the best defensive minds in the league.
