Vic Fangio has not given up on the possibility of becoming an NFL head coach. The Bears defensive coordinator has seen Bruce Arians land his first top job at age 61 after a successful stint as offensive coordinator with Indianapolis, and NFL sources told CSNChicago.com that some of the real reason for Fangio’s frustration in recent weeks had little to do with a specific issue between himself and coach John Fox and more to do with the feeling that the Bears’ 2016 woes would serve to squelch thoughts around the NFL that Fangio should be a candidate for head-coaching vacancies this offseason (already three and counting).

Turning the Bears around from the disasters of 2013 and 2014 might have heated up his chances, but, “I haven’t really thought about it,” Fangio said on Wednesday as the Bears prepared to finish 2016 against the Minnesota Vikings. “When you’ve had the season we’ve had, it’s not something you usually have on the front burner so haven’t really thought about it.”

Fangio acknowledged that the maelstrom around his supposed friction with Fox made its way into work at Halas Hall.

But as far as Fangio plans for returning in 2017?

"Nothing’s changed," he said.