The Miami Dolphins’ 2023 season concluded with a loss in the wildcard round against the Chiefs. On Wednesday, the team announced the departure of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, characterizing the move as mutual.
However, recent social media posts by Dolphins players suggest there might have been internal conflicts within the team.
Jevon Holland’s cryptic IG story after Vic Fangio firing draws attention
On January 24, the Dolphins officially announced the departure of Vic Fangio from the team. Speculation about a strained relationship with teammates circulated, and Jevon Holland’s cryptic Instagram stories seemed to confirm it. Although the Dolphins’ safety didn’t explicitly address the departure of the defensive coordinator, he posted a video on Instagram that captured everyone’s attention.
In the video, Holland can be seen kicking a handful of rocks. Despite not providing any caption, fans interpreted it as Holland’s way of implying that Fangio should “kick rocks.”
A Sun-Sentinel reporter also posted about this cryptic IG story and mentioned that this gesture of safety might have been an indirect way to tell Vic Fangio to hit the road, “Interesting Dolphins safety Jevon Holland posts a video kicking rocks moments after the Vic Fangio news breaks.”
This post created speculation that there were some internal conflicts in the team. Jevon Holland wasn’t the only one indicating his satisfaction with the departure of the defensive coordinator. The team’s defensive back, Cam Smith, also shared a cryptic tweet featuring only an emoji of an unlocked lock.
These posts sparked speculation that Dolphins players expressed satisfaction because the team decided to part ways with Vic Fangio. Numerous other reports also suggested underlying problems within the team.
“According to team sources, Fangio’s performance was a major topic of discussion in coach Mike McDaniel’s exit interviews, and there were a number of the team’s top performers who either wanted Fangio to change his ways or be replaced, and flat-out told McDaniel this,” Omar Kelly of SI.com wrote.
Despite these speculations, coach Mike McDaniel, known as most humble coach, released a statement thanking the defensive coordinator for his contributions to the team.
“I want to thank Vic for his contributions in 2023. When we assessed the season, it became apparent that this was the best path forward for all parties involved,” McDaniel said in the statement.
The coach also emphasized that in 2024, they will make efforts to find the best replacement for Vic Fangio for the betterment of the team.
Vic Fangio expected to land with Eagles
Vic Fangio won’t be without a team for long, as his potential destination is rumored to be the Philadelphia Eagles. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the defensive coordinator is expected to join the Eagles as their new defensive leader.
“Miami is allowing Fangio to leave to be closer to his family in Pennsylvania,” noted Schefter. “Fangio and the Eagles had an interest in working together in 2023, but the timing didn’t work. This time it will.”
The timing is now fitting for Fangio to step into the role of defensive coordinator for the Eagles. He had previously worked as an advisor for the Eagles in preparation for their Super Bowl appearance in February.
The Eagles faced defensive challenges in the 2023 season under coordinators Sean Desai and later Matt Patricia. The defense allowed the third-most points per game, struggled in red-zone and third-down situations, and conceded 35 passing touchdowns.
Vic Fangio is expected to be the Eagles’ preferred choice to address defensive issues. At 65 years old, he will face the task of cleaning up and improving the Eagles’ defense in the upcoming season.
