Fangio arrived in Miami on a three-year deal that made him the league’s highest-paid coordinator, intended to lift a defense that lagged behind the 2022 offensive surge. The 2023 Dolphins featured a mix of rising talent—Christian Wilkins, Jevon Holland, Jaelan Phillips—and veterans like Bradley Chubb, Zach Sieler and Xavien Howard.
The blockbuster addition of Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey gave Fangio more pieces to deploy, but injuries derailed the unit. Jaelan Phillips suffered a season-ending Achilles tear late in the year, while Xavien Howard battled injuries before his season-ending absence and Bradley Chubb also missed time with a torn ACL.
As Miami pressed toward the postseason, the defense faded late, forcing the team to sign veteran pass rushers just to field a competitive unit. Fangio later said that, aside from a late-season stretch, the defense had ranked highly, but a rash of injuries in the final games contributed to the downturn.
The departure from Miami unfolded awkwardly, aided by the reality that Fangio had long been linked to the Eagles and had even served as a consultant for Philadelphia before taking the Dolphins job. Miami and Fangio mutually parted ways after the season, with head coach Mike McDaniel acknowledging he did not see the transition coming.
With the Eagles, Fangio helped shepherd a championship-caliber defense, including a unit that shut down Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. Now, after two seasons in Philadelphia, he is weighing retirement, leaving behind one of the most respected minds in NFL defensive coordination.
