Bears DC Vic Fangio rips NFL’s illegal contact rule

Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is not a fan of one of the league’s more recent rule changes.

Fangio was talking about NFL rules today and expressed his disgust of the illegal contact rule. Chicago Bears reporter Rich Campbell shared the quote via Twitter.

Vic Fangio today talking rules: "One of the most non-football rules ever put into football was the 5-yard illegal contact rule. If coaches from the 60's rose from the dead today, they would want to go back in their grave with that rule."

— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) July 31, 2018

The illegal contact rule prevents defensive players from contact with eligible receivers beyond five yards from the line of scrimmage while the quarterback has the ball in the pocket. The enforcement of the rule has led to the league becoming more of a “passing league” with huge stats from quarterbacks and wide receivers, which is a nightmare for defensive players and coaches.

Fangio, 59, has been a defensive coach in the NFL since 1986, save for one season spent as Stanford’s defensive coordinator. He has been the Bears’ defensive coordinator since 2015.