Fangio, the architect of one of the most popular defensive schemes in the league, was the Eagles' top choice to replace Gannon, according to multiple sources. If Gannon had relayed that he planned to interview with the Cardinals, the Eagles could have gotten the ball rolling on replacement candidates and, most importantly, notified Fangio about the potential opening. Fangio was under contract with the team, having signed a two-week deal leading up to the Super Bowl to serve in an advisory role, and widely admired in the building.
But the Miami Dolphins were in pursuit of Fangio as well. With the Eagles' DC job seemingly spoken for, he informally committed to join the Dolphins staff in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. The Eagles' front office tried to get Fangio to decommit from the Dolphins once it found out about Arizona courting Gannon, sources said, but by that point Fangio had already made up his mind.