Vic Fangio is the Denver Broncos version of Kyle Shanahan

Vic Fangio is the Denver Broncos’ version of Kyle Shanahan.

Sure enough, I think it does. Simply put, Vic Fangio is the AFC’s Kyle Shanahan, and the similarities run deep.

Both Fangio and Shanahan are elite minds on their respective sides of the ball. Many would call Shanahan the best offensive mind in football, and many would call Fangio the best defensive mind in football.

After all, Shanahan was the offensive coordinator during Matt Ryan’s MVP season, and Fangio won Assistant Coach of the year in 2018 when the Bears went 12-4. I don’t think anyone would doubt their deep football knowledge.

Now, let’s get to the fun, and more elaborate part.

In Fangio’s first year with the Broncos, the team was presumably still in a rebuild mode. They had just drafted key offensive pieces in Noah Fant, Drew Lock, and Dalton Risner, and had some key young players on the defensive side of the ball like Justin Simmons, Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, among others.

The Broncos were mostly a competitive team but were clearly a year or two away from true contention, mostly hinging on the development of Drew Lock.

In Shanahan’s first year with the 49ers, they were in a similar situation. They had just brought in a new regime in Shanahan and general manager John Lynch and were clearly in a rebuilding year. The 49ers lacked key pieces on both sides of the ball and had young talent throughout that needed time to develop.

Furthermore, both teams trotted out their shiny new quarterbacks for the world to see. Lock started five games for the Broncos, and went 4-1, giving the team a lot to look forward to in the next year.

For the 49ers, newly acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo came to town and led the 49ers to a 6-1 record. In both instances, the respective teams battled through a mostly rough rebuilding year and ended the season on positive notes thanks to their new, first-year quarterbacks.

Now, for year two.

Year two for Shanahan and Fangio were not kind at all. The 49ers suffered a major blow when Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3 and missed the rest of the season. This caused the 49ers to only win four games in 2018 en route to securing a high draft pick, which turned into Nick Bosa.

The Broncos, in Fangio’s year two, which is this year, had their fair share of injuries. Lock suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2, forcing him to miss three games. Obviously, the injuries did not stop there for the Broncos, as we have now compiled a very impressive injured reserve list.

Both Fangio and Shanahan had a rough go during their second year with their respective teams. In a year where both teams were expected to take a significant leap forward, they both took a significant step back, both winning fewer games in year two than they did in year one.

In Shanahan’s third year, the 49ers stayed mostly healthy and made a run all the way to the Super Bowl. Most everyone around the league knew the 49ers were a talented bunch, they just had to put it together and avoid major circumstances.

Doesn’t that sound a bit familiar? No one denies the talent on paper that the Broncos have. Our defense is ripe with young and veteran talent, and our offense has studs on each level.

Now, I’m not saying the Broncos will make the Super Bowl next year because I do not think that is realistic yet, but it is hard for me to dismiss the similarities between Shanahan and Fangio as head coaches.

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I’d have a hard time believing the Broncos will be struck with this many injuries next year, and as COVID (hopefully) begins to go away, we can see what a mostly-comprehensive offseason looks like for the team.

So, I do think the Broncos are poised to take a noticeable leap forward next year. Another year in the offense for Lock and the rookies has to help, and with Fangio running the defense, I do not see any concern there.

The similarities between Fangio and Shanahan are too noticeable for me to ignore, and I ultimately think the Broncos will take a significant leap forward next year, at least doubling their win total from this year.

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