Vic Fangio’s honesty and up front nature has made him a cult hero of sorts around these parts.
Fangio is a football-lifer and a throwback to the good ol’ days where coaches didn’t act like their thoughts and opinions needed to be guarded as heavily as nuclear launch codes or your grandmother’s baking secrets. So any time Fangio steps to the mic, our eyes, ears, and attention go straight to him.
And once again, Fangio didn’t disappoint:
Leave it to Vic Fangio to shoot straight today about the Bears' OLB group: "There is a little bit of question there of depth and depth quality. But we're confident that the guys we have there, somebody will surface to be the two starters and couple backups we need."
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 30, 2018
There is no secret that the softest spot along the Bears’ defense is at outside linebacker/edge rusher. You know it, I know it, and the defensive coordinator knows it. And that Fangio is willing to share that bit of honesty with us at this point of OTAs is quite refreshing if you really step back and allow it to sink in.
Chicago depth issues at the position aren’t because of a lack of bodies. The team has 13 linebackers on the roster right now, including four who have NFL playing experience. But here’s the hang-up, three of those players (Leonard Floyd, Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving) are coming off injury riddled seasons. And in the case of Floyd and Irving, we’re talking about a pair of players who finished the 2017 season on injured reserve. The fourth outside linebacker with professional time under his belt is Sam Acho, who is a better run-stuffer than pass-rusher and whose best role seems to be as a reserve.
Fangio expressed confidence that starters will emerge from the group, and we’re right there with him … even if our optimism is on the cautious side. Floyd, Lynch, and Acho all have pretty significant starting experience. Rookie Kylie Fitts has a post-hype sleeper vibe going for him after an injury shortened college stint that followed a decorated high school career where he earned four-star recruit status. However, even if it all goes right for the players with the most upside, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this group is a bit short.
With June 1 around the corner, a new batch of cuts is on the cusp of happening. That means some fresh talent is about to be made available for inquiring teams. If a pass-rushing prospect was to come along and hit the free agent market, it would be surprising if the Bears didn’t sniff around and find a fit for Fangio’s defense.
No defensive coordinator has done more with less than Fangio has in Chicago, especially over the last two seasons. Injuries that have ravaged the team haven’t kept Fangio’s unit from pressing forward and putting in that necessary work. Still, some reinforcements would probably be greatly appreciated.