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One day after rumors circulated that the Chicago Bears and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio were ready to part ways at season’s end, both Fangio and head coach John Fox met the media today and shot down the rumors.
"I think our staff is tremendous” Fox said, and when asked about Fangio specifically he said, "We get along great," and “I want our whole staff back."
Fox did say that sometimes coaches “get opportunities elsewhere,” so it “remains to be seen” if the entire staff returns.
Vic Fangio gave a simple “I do,” when asked if he plans to be back coaching in Chicago next year. He also said the reports of friction between he and Fox are false and that Fox approached him about the rumor because Fox was concerned that Fangio may be planning to leave.
For what it’s worth, special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers also met the media and was asked if he plans to be coaching in Chicago next season and he gave a “sure.”
Here are a few other tweets about the press conferences, including some actual on the field news.
#Bears DC Vic Fangio commenting on the reports he's leaving after this season. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/PYqZ41lgqo
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) December 7, 2016
Amid reports he won't be back next year, #Bears DC Fangio says John Fox was nervous about it "because it wasn't true" pic.twitter.com/1tmhfDVJA1
— Megan Mawicke (@MeganMawicke) December 7, 2016
Royal, M. Wilson, Adams, McPhee and Porter did not participate at #Bears practice today
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) December 7, 2016
#Bears coach John Fox on rookie ILB Nick Kwiatkoski, who had 11 tackles yesterday: "I think he's gotten better in every outing."
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) December 5, 2016
Fangio on rookie LB Nick Kwiatkoski vs. 49ers: "I thought he did well. I think he's coming into his own. I hope to see marked improvement."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 7, 2016
#Bears DC Vic Fangio on rookie Leonard Floyd's pass-rush potential: "He hasn't even scratched the surface yet."
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) December 7, 2016
#Bears DC Vic Fangio on whether Harold Jones-Quartey could stay in starting lineup: "Sure, that's possible. He played well too."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) December 7, 2016
#Bears coach John Fox hopes rookie DE Jonathan Bullard responds well to adversity of being a healthy scratch yesterday.
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) December 5, 2016
#Fangio on third-round pick Jonathan Bullard being a healthy scratch: "He knows he needs to improve in some areas."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 7, 2016