In a surprising turn of events, Vic Fangio will not be returning as the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator for the upcoming season. Despite having two years left on his contract, the decision has been met with celebration by some players on the team. Safety Jevon Holland, cornerback Cam Smith, and former Dolphins safety Trill Williams took to social media to express their approval of the move.

Smith, a second-round rookie, tweeted an unlocked lock symbolizing a new direction for the team's defense. Williams, who was claimed off waivers by the Dolphins in May 2021 but released before the start of the 2023 season, quote-tweeted Smith's post with a GIF that indicated his agreement with the decision.

These reactions shed light on the strained relationship between Fangio and the players, particularly in the secondary. NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus, representing several Dolphins players, revealed that there were conflicts within the team. While some players admired Fangio, many others did not share a positive rapport with him.

Sources suggest that Smith was one of the players who found himself in Fangio's "doghouse" and saw limited playing time despite injuries affecting the team. Fangio, known for his defensive expertise, led the Dolphins to a 22nd ranking in scoring defense, allowing an average of 23 points per game. However, the team performed better in terms of yards allowed per game, ranking 10th with an average of 318.3 yards.

Reports indicate that Fangio's coaching decisions and inability to connect with certain players may have contributed to the strain in the relationship. As a result, the Dolphins have decided that parting ways with Fangio is in the best interest of both parties.

ESPN has reported that Fangio is set to join the Philadelphia Eagles as their next defensive coordinator. With Fangio's departure, the Dolphins are now in search of a new defensive leader. One potential candidate in the mix is former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who recently parted ways with the team after two seasons.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel addressed the situation, stating, "When we assessed the season, it became apparent that this was the best path forward for all parties involved. Now, we turn our focus to 2024 and beyond with urgency as we identify the best candidate to lead our defense moving forward."

The Dolphins reached the wild-card round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs, who secured a 26-7 victory. With the offseason now in full swing, the Dolphins will not only be looking to fill the void left by Fangio but also improve their defense to build upon their successful playoff run.