Miami Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith provided a telling reaction to the news that the Dolphins are parting ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
BREAKING: Vic Fangio and the Dolphins have mutually agreed to part ways. pic.twitter.com/i0bt8uiqQ9
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) January 24, 2024
🔓
— Cammmm ひ (@yjbcam) January 24, 2024
Smith wasn’t the only player who took to social media after the news. Dolphins star safety Jevon Holland uploaded a video to Instagram of him kicking rocks.
An NFL insider in Ian Rapoport linked former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to the Dolphins after the shocking Fangio news.
Vic Fangio nearly landed with the #Eagles last year, and they currently have a defensive coordinator opening. Meanwhile, former #Chargers coach Brandon Staley is available and would be a candidate in Miami. https://t.co/qiAV5SPYxr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 24, 2024
He coached the Chargers to a 5-9 record this season before being fired from his position. Los Angeles then went on to finish the regular season with a subpar 5-12 record, which was the worst record in the AFC West division.
Smith didn’t receive much playing time under Fangio during the 2023 regular season. He appeared in 15 of the Dolphins’ 17 regular-season games but logged zero starts and finished with just two combined tackles, one solo tackle and one assisted tackle on the season.
The 23-year-old was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft after he spent four seasons playing college football at the University of South Carolina. In his final season with the Gamecocks, the 2022 season, he totaled 23 solo tackles, four assisted tackles, 27 total tackles and one tackle for loss across 11 games played. Smith also defended five passes and came up with one interception.
Miami’s defense was far from elite under Fangio last season. The Dolphins allowed 23.0 points per game during the regular season, which was the 11th-most of any team in the league. For perspective, the Washington Commanders allowed the most points per game in the NFL with 30.5.
It remains to be seen who the team will decide to hire as their new defensive coordinator in light of the news that Fangio and the Dolphins have mutually agreed to head their separate ways. But Staley is a name that Dolphins fans should keep an eye out for in the coming days.
