It's official per Biggs
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4m4 minutes ago
The waiting is over, reports @BradBiggs
http://trib.in/2qXXnW6As much as the Bears sought a fresh voice and new approach for the offense and quarterback Mitch (Pro Bowl QB) Trubisky, they were pretty happy with how the defense has come along.
They have to feel like they might have the best for both sides of the ball now after defensive coordinator Vic Fangio agreed to return Friday, four days after the Bears hired Matt Nagy as head coach.
The Bears couldn’t know exactly how Fangio would react when he was informed Monday morning the team had selected someone else as the next head coach. General manager Ryan Pace gave Fangio the first interview for the position last week, and there was at least some concern that Fangio, who became a free agent Tuesday, would seek work elsewhere. Nagy and Pace were measured in their remarks at Tuesday’s introductory news conference, but by the end of that night, signs were pointing toward a return.
Fangio returned from the West Coast early Wednesday and was in discussions with the team that day. The sides continued to talk, and an agreement was reached Friday, giving the Bears a full set of coordinators after Nagy previously hired Mark Helfrich for offense and Chris Tabor for special teams.
The NFC North rival Packers and the Ravens were the most prominent options for Fangio, and both filled their defensive coordinator positions by Tuesday night. By no means did that close off all options for Fangio. He had been connected with Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and was viewed as a possibility to pair with him in the event Shurmur gets a head-coaching job. Four teams are still looking to hire head coaches and staffs, and Shurmur has been rumored to have a good chance with the Cardinals.
But the Bears presented a chance for Fangio to continue building what he has worked on the last three years. The defense finished this season ranked seventh against the pass, ninth in points allowed, 10th in total defense, 11th against the run and tied for 13th with 22 takeaways. It accomplished that while losing six starters or key contributors to injured reserve: outside linebackers Leonard Floyd, Willie Young and Pernell McPhee, inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman, safety Quintin Demps and defensive end Mitch Unrein.
Hiring a veteran defensive coordinator was paramount for Nagy, a first-time head coach who will be directing the offense. Fangio knows the strengths and weaknesses of the personnel, and that will be an aid in tweaking the roster this offseason. This situation offers Fangio more autonomy running the defense than he had under John Fox.
With Fangio coming back, it’s likely the Bears will consider retaining multiple position coaches on that side of the ball, with Nagy having the final say. The Bears have made considerable progress building Nagy’s staff, taking advantage of the head start they got on other teams seeking a new coach.
bmbiggs@chicagotribune.comTwitter @BradBiggs