Sunday was a day of elation for Miami Dolphin fans, as news broke that coveted defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was all but locked up and hired by the franchise. However, following rumors across social media over the last few days, it seems that there’s some speculation as to whether or not Fangio made it official.
With Fangio being one of the top defensive minds in the league and experienced in running top-tier units, it would be a match made in heaven with the supply of talent at his disposal in Miami.
Yet, as we sit on Tuesday morning, there’s still some conjecture as to if Fangio is signed, sealed and to be delivered. From a timeline standpoint, the usual suspects in NFL reporting broke the news, creating a tidal wave of excitement across the fan base just two days ago.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted the news on Sunday just prior to when the Philadelphia Eagles and San Fransisco 49ers kicked off their NFC Championship game. Ironically, it’s the Eagles with which Fangio has been a consultant this season, following a three-year stint as the Denver Broncos head coach.
The #Dolphins have agreed to terms with Vic Fangio on a deal that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid coordinator, per sources.
It’s a 3-year deal with a 4th-year team option. Fangio, the former #Broncos coach, is one of football’s best defensive minds. Huge get for Mike McDaniel. pic.twitter.com/ynCK2BB2xC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2023
Fellow insider Ian Rapoport confirmed with a tweet of his own, and the floodgates then opened with media members and fans alike rejoicing. With confirmations flying from trusted Miami beat reporters as well as broadcasters and talking heads from across football, 48 hours later, many are wondering if the deal is in fact done.
The fire was set Monday when another The Volume’s Michael Silver tweeted his own grouping of characters which read like a Stephen King novella to the Miami fan base.
For what it's worth, Vic Fangio told me late last night, "Nothing has been decided on my end." There is a huge amount of mutual respect between Kyle Shanahan and Fangio, a highly successful Niners DC under Jim Harbaugh. And it appears the 49ers will have an opening soon.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 30, 2023
This tweet may as well have been the equivalent of lighting a match to a firestorm of worry and wonder. Fans have resorted to asking reporters to re-confirm something that we may not truly know… has already been confirmed.
The worry now is the lingering and eliminated 49ers, whom Fangio had a role with from 2011-14 as their defensive coordinator. He helped take that team to a Super Bowl during the 2012 season. Their current defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, looks to become a head coach, creating an opening in San Fransisco for his role.
Following the Silver tweet, yet another prominent NFL insider, Peter King, chimed in.
From PETER KING: "Per NFL Network, Vic Fangio is due to take the Miami defensive coordinator post. I expect he’ll make a big star out of a very good player—free safety Jevon Holland, one of the top play-making safeties in football."
— DolphinsTalk.com (@DolphinsTalk) January 30, 2023
With this being the week of Groundhog Day, which falls this Thursday, February 2, Dolphins fans may just be experiencing the same day for a few days, if not a week or so. The only thing that will put all the rumors to rest, will be a Dolphins press conference introducing Fangio.
We will all stay tuned to when that will be announced…hopefully.
