Eagles Without Vic Fangio: Jeff Kerr and McMullen Map Out the Defensive Contingency Plan

Vic Fangio is 67 years old. He considered retirement after winning the Super Bowl. Reports indicate he is at least coming back for the 2026 season, but the clock is ticking on one of the most successful defensive coordinators in NFL history. The question is no longer if the Eagles will need to replace him — it is when, and with whom.

On Monday's Birds 365, NFL reporter Jeff Kerr joined Zander Krause and John McMullen to map out the Eagles' defensive future in a post-Fangio world. The conversation was both pragmatic and revealing.

The Consensus: Let Fangio Run Until He's Done

All three voices on the show agreed on one fundamental point — you do not push Vic Fangio out the door.

You have this guy run until he tells you he's done. And then you worry about tomorrow's problems tomorrow. — Jeff Kerr

McMullen echoed the sentiment, pushing back on fans and media members who have suggested the Eagles should proactively replace Fangio with a younger coordinator to ensure continuity.

Kerr summed it up with a vivid analogy that resonated with the audience: "If you have Gordon Ramsay as your personal chef, why would you want to change chefs?"

The Jim Schwartz Option

If Fangio were to retire unexpectedly, Kerr noted that the Eagles might actually be in a better position than most teams in that scenario.

Say Vic were to retire this week. Jim Schwartz is available. You can realistically — well, he's under contract, but there are ways you can maneuver. — Jeff Kerr

McMullen added an intriguing wrinkle: if Schwartz returned to Philadelphia, the Myles Garrett trade speculation would immediately ramp up again, given Schwartz's aggressive defensive philosophy and love for elite pass rushers. However, McMullen cautioned that Schwartz runs a fundamentally different defensive style than Fangio, which would require significant schematic adjustments for a roster built around Fangio's system.

The Internal Option: Clint Hurtt

When Kerr asked about promoting from within, McMullen had a clear answer.

That's what I'd do. Clint would get one year to prove he can do it, and if not, then you go a different direction when you can do a real search with some of the top names. — John McMullen

Hurtt, currently serving as the Eagles' defensive assistant, has earned the respect of the coaching staff and would represent the smoothest possible transition. He understands Fangio's scheme intimately and could maintain continuity while developing his own identity.

The timing concern is real, though. If Fangio retires late — whether in February, July, or even later — the Eagles would not have the luxury of conducting a proper coordinator search. An internal promotion would be the only practical option.

Jonathan Gannon and the Fan Narrative

Gannon's name also surfaced, though he is currently with the Green Bay Packers. The conversation inevitably turned to the complicated legacy of the former Eagles defensive coordinator, who led a top-two defense in 2022 before the Super Bowl LVII collapse.

Another fake narrative on Jonathan Gannon. I can't deal with this stuff. — Jeff Kerr

McMullen confirmed that the organization does not share the fan base's animosity toward Gannon, noting that the narrative around his departure was largely misunderstood. Gannon's defensive coordinator candidacy on the NFC Championship sideline, his reported conversation with a sideline reporter about staying, and the subsequent Cardinals hiring all created a misleading picture.

As McMullen explained, it was Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort — a friend of Gannon's — who initiated contact with a congratulatory call after the NFC title game. The timing, not the intent, created the controversy.

The Fangio Standard

The broader takeaway from the conversation is that whoever eventually replaces Fangio will face an almost impossibly high standard. McMullen put it in perspective: Fangio has been coaching for 40 years, is widely considered the "Kyle Shanahan of defense" — the coordinator everyone copies — and has built one of the most complete defensive units in football.

I was shocked if they would have gotten him for three. And looks like based on Jimmy's report, they're at least gonna get him for three. — Jeff Kerr

For now, the Eagles can breathe. Fangio appears committed to at least one more season, possibly more. But the contingency planning conversation is not premature — it is prudent. In a league where 21 offensive coordinator positions turned over this offseason, the Eagles would be foolish not to have a plan for the day Vic Fangio finally decides to hang it up.