Broncos set to hire Bears DC Vic Fangio as new head coach, taking him out of NFC North

One of the biggest thorn in the sides of the Green Bay Packers over the past few years is on the move. Vic Fangio’s defenses have tormented Green Bay for years, dating back to his days as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator and into his most recent job as the Chicago Bears’ DC. However, Fangio is now headed for the AFC, meaning the Packers will only face him every four years.

According to multiple media reports, the Denver Broncos have chosen Fangio as their new head coach and will officially hire him this week. Denver fired Vance Joseph following week 17 after his two years as the team’s head coach.

With the 49ers, Fangio’s defenses helped knock the Packers out of the playoffs twice, in 2012 and 2013, and San Francisco won regular-season matchups in both of those seasons as well. However, the Bears have not fared as well against the Packers since Fangio came on board in 2015, going 2-6 in those divisional matchups despite a 1-1 record in 2018.

The Packers won’t be fully free from Fangio in 2019, however. The AFC West is matched up with the NFC North for the upcoming season in the league’s schedule rotation, meaning that the Packers and Broncos will play each other. However, that game will take place at Lambeau Field, and after 2019 they will not play again until 2023.

Fangio will inherit a Broncos defense that boasts two terrific pass-rushers in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Depending on how you look at it, the Broncos’ defense either improved from 2017 to 2018 (based on DVOA and points allowed) or got significantly worse (based on total yardage allowed). Either way, he will be expected to bring that unit back up to an elite level while Gary Kubiak reportedly stays on to lead the offense.