Vic Fangio on the 2025 Eagles defense: ‘We’ve kind of found our niche’

The Eagles defense has been absolutely dominating their opponents week-after-week, and have been pulling along the offense for most of the season. As they start preparing for their final regular season game, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to reporters about individual performances against Buffalo, what he’s seen from this year’s group, and why he doesn’t stack the box against the run.

As they turn their focus back to the Commanders, who they played just two weeks ago, Fangio said that preparation is no different from any other week. Even though they’ve faced each other recently, he noted that each week feels like it’s own adventure, so they’ll prepare the same as they always do.

Here’s what the DC had to say:

On Jalen Carter’s return

“I thought [Jalen Carter] played well. Ya know, I really didn’t know how he’d play, because he missed three games I believe, and didn’t practice until this past week, during that time. And, I thought he played well. And I think he’s off to a good start, and hopefully he’ll build off that and play good down the stretch here, and into the playoffs.”

The Eagles’ DC wouldn’t comment on Bills’ tackle Spencer Brown accusing Carter of intentionally gouging his eyes, and while he did hear rumblings about the complaint, he never saw the specific incident.

On this year’s defense

“I think we’ve grown from week-to-week, which is what you want. Particularly if you have a bunch of young guys, which we still do. We’re in the stage of guys can get better and better and better. Even our veteran-type players, I mean outside of [Brandon Graham] I would guess you would say they’re still in the growing stage. They’ve done that and that always makes you happy. We’ve kind of found our niche the way we like to play, which is something you’re always looking for as a coach. The guys have been fun to coach.“

Later on, Fangio quipped that it’s not necessarily fun because the group is younger with more energy, but rather because they’re good players.

“If they’re good players. I like a lot of good players. They make me look smart.”

On utilizing light boxes

“We’ve got good players that are up there still, and we expect our guys to react, come out of those deep looks, fill and help accordingly. But you still have to play your blocks up front and do good at that. Your D-Line and your linebackers set that tempo.”

Fangio acknowledged that he makes a conscious decision to not stack the box as much, notable because they don’t want to give the quarterback and kind of pre-snap read.

On specifics against Buffalo

Fangio was asked about his philosophy when approaching mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen, and he said that there’s always a big emphasis to be disciplined and for the rushers to stay in their lanes when they play a QB like that. Still, Allen is still someone who is really hard to get down. 

“We missed him a few of the other times that we could have gotten him down. He’s special in that regard. He’s made a lot of really good players miss in his seven- or eight-year career, however long he’s been out here. But yeah, I mean you make your guys conscious of it, and we got a rush as a unit.”

The DC was also asked about the two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game, and he went through how it all unfolded.

“We had a little bit of pseudo pressure there. Just to try and get something going for him and so he wouldn’t extend the play too long. We had good coverage going early. We lost leverage late, Jihaad [Campbell] did. But other than that, I thought we played it well. Anytime, even for a great quarterback like him, rolling to your left, moving to your left, throwing back, it’s a hard throw.

Other notables

• Fangio said that rookie Jihaad Campbell played well, and while there are plays he’d like back, it’s good experience — especially if Campbell has to fill in for Nakobe Dean again in Week 18 or in the playoffs.
• The DC didn’t know if offenses were really focusing on Zack Baun more this season, but said the inside linebacker is having a good year.
• He admitted that had it been 2019 — the one year when pass interference calls could be challenged — they may have thrown a flag to review the call made against Quinyon Mitchell on Sunday. There’s not really a teaching point with something like that, and DPI is just something that will change person-to-person. Fangio wouldn’t say whether challenging pass interference should be brought back, and noted the rules are always changing.
• The DC thinks that overall they’ve tackled pretty well this season as a group. He explained that they’re always striving for perfection in that area, and it’s something they emphasize and take pride in.
• Adding Jaelan Phillips, or any good player, will have a domino affect on the rest of the defense and allow guys at each level to elevate their game.