Report: Bears could part ways with DC Vic Fangio after season

Major changes are seemingly just around the corner as the Chicago Bears look to solve the issues that have the club sitting at a disappointing 3-9 mark after 12 games.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is thought to be nearing the end of his short tenure in Chicago as the coaching staff approaches a "massive overhaul" expected in the offseason ahead, according to Mike Mulligan of The Chicago Tribune.

Fangio, one of the game's most respected defensive minds, joined the Bears along with head coach John Fox ahead of the 2015 campaign. The unit on that side of the ball hasn't taken shape as planned, but it would also be unfair to overlook the personnel losses it's incurred across the board.

When at full strength this season, Fangio's defense has actually played at a far higher level than on-paper evaluations of the roster could have anticipated heading in.

Mulligan's report suggests that Fox will return for a third season despite the continued struggles of the team overall, so it's unclear whether a change at defensive coordinator would signal a shift back to the 4-3 defense the veteran head coach has implemented at past stops.

Either way, Fangio would immediately become one of the league's most highly sought-after defensive coordinators if and when he's relieved of his duties in the coming weeks.

The 58-year-old was the architect of a San Francisco 49ers defense that ranked among the NFL's top five in yards allowed for three consecutive seasons from 2011-13.