Jay Rodgers

Jay Rodgers (born August 29, 1976) is an American football coach who is the defensive line coach of the Chicago Bears. He was previously the defensive line coach of the Denver Broncos from 2012 to 2014.

Denver Broncos
After spending 2009-2011 as an assistant coach, Rodgers was promoted to defensive line coach after former coach Wayne Nunnely retired after three years with the Broncos. In 2012, the Broncos went 13-3 and won the AFC West for the second year in a row. They would go on to lose in the Divisional round to the Baltimore Ravens 35-38. Under his coaching, defensive end Elvis Dumervil made the Pro Bowl.

During the 2013 off-season, the Broncos drafted defensive lineman Sylvester Williams & Quanterus Smith in the 1st (28th pick) & 5th (146th pick) round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In 2013 the Broncos went 13-3 again and won the AFC West for the third consecutive year. They would go on to Super Bowl XLVIII and lost to the Seattle Seahawks 8-43.

During the 2014 off-season, the Broncos signed defensive end DeMarcus Ware. In 2014, the Broncos went 12-4 and won the AFC West for the fourth time. They would go on to lose in the Divisional Round against the Indianapolis Colts 13-24. Under his coaching, DeMarcus Ware made the Pro Bowl. After this season, head coach John Fox was not resigned and his staff was laid off.

Chicago Bears
On January 25, 2015, Chicago Bears named Rodgers the defensive line coach, reuniting with new head coach John Fox. In his first season with the Bears, they went 6-10 and missed the playoffs. Under his coaching, nose tackle Eddie Goldman made the 2015 All-Rookie team.

During the 2016 off-season, the Bears drafted defensive end Jonathan Bullard in the third round (72nd pick) of the 2016 NFL Draft and added Roy Robertson-Harris as an undrafted free agent. They also resigned Mitch Unrein and added Akiem Hicks, but let Jarvis Jenkins go to the New York Jets. During the 2016 season, the Bears went 3-13, the worst record since the NFL expanded to 16 games.

During the 2017 season, the Bears went 5-11, missed the playoffs, and head coach John Fox was fired.

During the 2018 off-season, the Chicago Bears named Matt Nagy as the new head coach of the Bears. Nagy elected to keep defensive coordinator Vic Fangio who kept his staff. In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Bears drafted defensive lineman Bilal Nichols and Kylie Fitts in the 5th (145th pick) and 6th (181st pick) respectively. In 2018, the Bears went 12-4, the first winning season since 2012 and playoff appearance since 2010. Under his coaching, defensive end Akiem Hicks made the 2019 Pro-Bowl, the first defensive end from the Bears to do so since Julius Peppers in 2012. Rodgers received the John Teerlinck Award as the best defensive line coach in the NFL; the 2018 Bears line helped the defense lead the league in categories like rushing yards allowed per game (80) and points allowed per game (17.7).

During the 2019 off-season, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio left the Bears to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos and replaced him with former Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano. The Bears also resigned defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris.

Coached under

 * John Fox (HC 2012-17) previously coached the Chicago Bears (2015-18), Broncos (2011-14), Panthers (2002-10), Giants (1997-2001), Rams (1996), Raiders (1994-95), Chargers (1992-93), and the Steelers (1989-91)
 * Jack Del Rio (DC 2012-14) Super Bowl XXXV champion, previously coached with the Oakland Raiders (2015-17), Broncos (2012-14), Jaguars (2003-11), Panthers (2002), Ravens (1999-2001), and Saints (1997-98)
 * Vic Fangio (DC 2015-18) current head coach of the Denver Broncos, previously coached with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14), Ravens (2006-09), Texans (2002-05), Colts (1999-2001), Panthers (1995-98), and the Saints (1986-94)
 * Matt Nagy (HC 2018-present) current head coach of the Chicago Bears, 2018 Coach of the Year, previously coached with the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-17) and the Eagles (2008-12)
 * Chuck Pagano (DC 2019-present) previously coached with the Indianapolis Colts (2012-17), Ravens (2008-11), Raiders (2005-06), and the Browns (2001-04)

Coached over

 * Elvis Dumervil (2012) 2-time All-Pro, 5-time Pro-Bowler, and 2009 Sacks Leader
 * DeMarcus Ware (2014) 7-time All-Pro, 9-time Pro Bowler, 2-time Sacks Leader (2008, 2010), and Super Bowl 50 Champion
 * Eddie Goldman (2015-present) 2015 All-Rookie
 * Akiem Hicks (2016-present) 2018 Pro-Bowler

Personal life
His brother Jeff is also an NFL coach; the two worked together on the Bears with Jeff as special teams coordinator until 2017.