Report: Chicago Bears lose defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the new Broncos head coach

The Chicago Bears are still likely recovering from their heartbreaking last-second loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round of the playoff last Sunday night. Unfortunately for them, the Bears suffered another big loss this week.

As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be leaving the team to take the head coaching job with the Denver Broncos:

Fangio has been the architect of the Bears’ defense that has been one of the most dominant units over the past couple years. He was so good at his job that when head coach Matt Nagy took over last season, he made sure to keep Fangio on staff. In his four years with the Bears, Chicago ranked 20th (2015), 24th (2016), ninth (2017) and first (2018) in points per game allowed.

This is undoubtedly a big hit to the Bears defense, but the talent on that side of the ball can’t be denied either. Only time will tell how impacted Chicago will be by the coaching change, but it certainly feels like the Bears may have missed out on a big opportunity this year with Fangio still running the defense.

Elsewhere in the NFL, it appears the Browns will be promoting offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens to be their next head coach.

Update: It looks like there’s a surprise candidate in Chicago to replace Fangio. Todd Bowles, who was thought to be joining Bruce Arians with the Buccaneers, is reportedly in the mix for the Bears’ coaching vacancy:

Update 2: Bowles has re-committed back to Tampa. The Bears will have to look elsewhere for a replacement.