Vic Fangio to join John Fox's staff with Chicago Bears

Welp, so much for this story. Jason LaCanfora is NOW reporting that Vic Fangio has decided to join the Chicago Bears coaching staff. LaCanfora reported Monday evening that he expected Fangio to accept the DC role in Washington, but apparently he decided Chicago was a better opportunity. Mark Maske of the Washington Post has since confirmed the information.

Fangio will join a Bears defense that finished 28th in the league in total defense last season, and 31st in points allowed. The Bears defense has been a train wreck the last two seasons, after being one of the best for the previous few years. They were ranked No. 1 by Football Outsiders in 2012, then dropped to No. 25 in 2013.

This becomes all the more interesting as the San Francisco 49ers will travel to face the Chicago Bears this season. The date of the game will be known in April, but we know at some point the 49ers will be at Soldier Field. The Bears defense has some work to do to get in shape, so it will be interesting to see how much Fangio can do to get the defense in gear. When he arrived in San Francisco, he took over a defense that had been solid under Greg Manusky. The team brought in some additional talent, and it become one of the best in the league during Fangio's tenure. They stumbled at times in the playoffs, but for the most part did some great work.

There is no word yet on if Ed Donatell will join Fangio in Chicago.

Fooch's Update:

Former #49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell is expected to join new #Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Chicago, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2015