Hiring Vic Fangio is Eagles under-the-radar move of offseason

The Philadelphia Eagles have been plenty busy this offseason.

Howie Roseman has made moves on both sides of the ball, landing running back Saquan Barkley, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, edge rusher Bryce Huff, and a host of other players to help improve a team that floundered during the final month of the 2023 season.

However, one move that might not be discussed enough is the hiring of new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

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Fangio has been the mastermind of many NFL defenses and will look to sure up an area that lost its identity last season under Sean Desai and Matt Patricia.

The move was named the team's most under-the-radar of the offseason by ESPN.com Eagles reporter Tim McManus.

Philadelphia has been running a version of Fangio's scheme for the past few years and now has the original architect in the fold. He should help reinfuse confidence into a group that lost its way.

McManus notes instability on the defensive side of the ball helped lead to the team's struggles last season, "which finished 31st in both passing yards (4,296) and passing touchdowns allowed (35) and was 30th in points against (25.2 per game)".

The most recent ESPN power rankings, which has them coming in at No. 7 overall, feel the team has done a good job at trying to fix some of their issues, and they still have the 2024 NFL Draft to fill in other areas.

Either way, Fangio has a tall task ahead. He will be the fourth defensive play-caller the team has had since falling in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, if someone can fix their issues and get them back to playing at the level that helped get them to the Super Bowl, it's Fangio.

As McManus points out, the Eagles have been playing a Fangio style of defense dating back to Jonathan Gannon's first season in 2021, with a few tweaks and wrinkles that the new coordinator might be able to add.

The next step in the offseason will be the NFL Draft, which could help the team add even more talent to Fangio's defense. The team currently holds the No. 22 pick in the first round and two picks in Round Two.