The NFC was a bloodbath in 2025, and that'll be the case again next season after contenders bolster their rosters in the coming months. If the Detroit Lions want to stay in the mix and prove they belong, general manager Brad Holmes will have to work day and night to address his team's glaring needs after a last-place NFC North finish.
As important as it is for the Lions to control their own destiny, getting some outside help with their NFC outlook would be greatly appreciated. That's why Detroit fans should be intrigued by the latest drama surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
On Sunday, The Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski reported that the Eagles were worried about Fangio potentially retiring this offseason. Although any retirement talks are on hold "for now," Kempski added that "wiggle room exists for Fangio to change his mind again."
Lions Must Love Eagles' Vic Fangio Retirement Fears
Yes, Fangio is currently projected to be on the Eagles' 2026 staff, but that doesn't mean that Lions fans shouldn't be excited about the possibility of his potential retirement in the near future.
After all, Fangio is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, not just in the NFC. The former 2018 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year has been a DC somewhere in the league more often than not for the last 30-plus years, and helped coach the Eagles' defense to Super Bowl glory in just his first year on the job in Philly.
The Lions had a front-row seat to what a Fangio-led unit can do during a trip to the City of Brotherly Love in Week 11 of this past season. The Eagles left Lincoln Financial Field with a hard-fought 16-9 victory, as the Lions were limited to just three field goals and 317 total yards. Detroit's 13 first downs in the game were also the fewest of the season.
It was a glimpse as to why the Eagles ended the regular season with only 19.1 points (5th) and 314.2 total yards (13th) per game allowed to opponents, with Fangio's defensive magic carrying the load for a contender whose offense as a disaster all year long.
In other words, the Lions won't shed a tear if Fangio decides to hang up his play-calling headset, either this offseason or next. As talented as their offense is, it's clear that the Eagles' defense is on another level. Getting a new defense play-caller could cause the unit to regress, opening the door for the Lions to avoid an outcome similar to last season in the next meeting.
Regardless of what Fangio decides this offseason, the silver lining is that he won't be an issue for Detroit unless it's in the postseason. The Eagles are not one of the Lions' confirmed 2026 opponents, meaning there's a chance they've already seen the last of Fangio if he changes his mind and calls it a career in the coming months.