This was way back at the Pro Bowl in Florida, when Vic Fangio was freshly-minted as the Broncos’ coach after a successful run as the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator.

After a walkthrough workout, I asked Bears safety Eddie Jackson about some of Fangio’s best sayings/slogans. Fangio had helped turn Jackson from a fourth-round pick to a first-team All Pro so there had to be some kind of play-call that stood out, right?

Nope.

His answer was completely unexpected and provided a window into the way Fangio cares about his players.

“Save your money,” Jackson said.

Huh? Is that a football-related saying?

“He always preached saving your money so when you’re done playing, you have it,” Jackson said. “He’s not all about football. He’s also about what’s after football.”

That mutual admiration was evident back in January and again this week as the Bears and Broncos prepared to face each other Sunday.

“The good thing about (playing for Fangio) is that there was always something you could learn,” linebacker Danny Trevathan said in a conference call with the Denver media. “He’s coached some of the greats at linebacker. When a guy like that is talking, a person in (that) position listens because that’s where I want to see myself.”

Earlier this offseason, former Bears linebacker Sam Acho said it was Fangio’s consistency that would benefit the Broncos.

“I spent four years playing for the Bears, four years playing for Vic and he was the same guy every single day,” Acho said. “He’s a very stoic guy, but I don’t think people realize how passionate and loving and caring he is.”

The Bears acquired outside linebacker Khalil Mack after the 2018 preseason. Fangio said this week he was not really aware of Mack’s skills because he didn’t evaluate him during his draft year.

While Bears fans were buzzing (justifiably so), Fangio was matter of fact.

“Everybody was like, ‘Man, you guys must be so excited; Khalil is the best,’” Acho said. “Vic was like, ‘Well, I have to go watch tape on him.’”

Jackson had the story about money, Acho the story about Mack and Trevathan the story about coaching linebackers.

“I’ve got a story for you,” defensive tackle Akiem Hicks said during Pro Bowl Week. “There was a call my first year in Chicago (2016). We were in a nickel front (five defensive backs) on the 2-yard line against heavy personnel.

“I looked to the sideline (and said), ‘Is this what we’re doing?’ Inside, I was thinking, ‘How is this going to happen?’ But it was a tackle for loss by a linebacker. Vic just knows things the common guy doesn’t.”

The players who were with Fangio in Chicago were asked if they had advice for Broncos players.

Trevathan: “Just take in as much as you can from somebody who’s doing it for a while and who loves the game of football.”

Hicks: “I’m sure every defensive coordinator shows the players how they want it done and what they’re looking for. But he has a special way of doing it. One of Vic’s strengths is he doesn’t ask more of you than what you have. He doesn’t put you in compromising situations. He puts you in a spot so you can play to your strengths and (also) works for your defense.”

Acho: “I consider him a friend. He’s the first one in the building and the last one out. He prepares so meticulously that you know as players that you’re always going to have a chance to win. You realize you’re around greatness.”