When Vic Fangio arrived in Philadelphia in 2024, he inherited a defense that had fallen apart in the second half of the previous season. What he built was remarkable - one of the NFL's best units despite an offense that struggled to sustain drives.
Now, entering Year Two, expectations are even higher.
The Foundation is Set
Fangio's 4-3 scheme is now firmly installed. Players understand their responsibilities. The communication is cleaner. The adjustments come faster.
That's the beauty of continuity. While other teams are teaching new systems, the Eagles are refining what already works.
Key Players to Watch
Zack Baun - The breakout star of 2025 should be even better. Now he truly understands Fangio's system and can play even faster.
Quinyon Mitchell - The second-year corner showed flashes as a rookie. Year Two is often when corners make the leap.
Jalen Carter - Already dominant, Carter could become the best interior defender in football with continued development.
Nolan Smith - The former first-rounder needs to take a step forward as a pass rusher. The talent is there.
Scheme Evolution
Expect Fangio to get more creative in Year Two. With players now comfortable in base concepts, he can layer in more disguises, more exotic blitzes, and more complex coverage rotations.
We saw glimpses of this late in 2025. The playoff games featured more pre-snap movement and post-snap adjustments than we'd seen all season. That's a sign of what's to come.
The Addition of Jonathan Greenard
Trading for Greenard gives Fangio another chess piece. The edge rusher posted 12.5 sacks last season and brings legitimate speed off the edge. Paired with Josh Sweat and a healthy Brandon Graham, the Eagles' pass rush could be devastating.
Statistical Expectations
The 2025 Eagles ranked:
- 3rd in points allowed
- 5th in yards allowed
- 4th in passing yards allowed
- 2nd in takeaways
With added talent and another year in the system, there's no reason these numbers can't improve. A top-2 defense isn't out of the question.
The Bottom Line
Fangio defenses historically improve in Year Two. His Chicago unit in 2019 was elite. His time in San Francisco produced Hall of Fame defenders. The pattern is clear: give him time and talent, and he'll build something special.
The Eagles have both. Get ready for a defense that could carry this team to the Super Bowl.