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Jay Rodgers
Chicago Bears
Position:Defensive line coach
Personal information
Born: (1976-08-29) August 29, 1976 (age 48)
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Career information
High school:Austin (TX) Westlake
College:Indiana, Missouri State
Career history
As coach:
* LSU (2001)
Offensive assistant
  • LSU (2002)
    Defensive assistant
  • Dodge City Community College (2003)
    Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach
  • Missouri State (2004)
    Quarterbacks coach
  • Stephen F. Austin (2005–2006)
    Quarterbacks coach
  • Iowa State (2007–2008)
    Wide receivers coach
  • Denver Broncos (2009–2010)
    Coaches assistant
  • Denver Broncos (2011)
    Defensive quality control coach
  • Denver Broncos (2012–2014)
    Defensive line coach
  • Chicago Bears (2015–present)
    Defensive line coach
Career highlights and awards
* AFC Champion (2013)
  • John Teerlinck Award (2018)

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.[1]

Coaching career[]

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.[2] In 2012, the Broncos went 13-3 and won the AFC West for the second year in a row.[3] They would go on to lose in the Divisional round to the Baltimore Ravens 35-38.[4] Under his coaching, defensive end Elvis Dumervil made the Pro Bowl.[5]

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.[6] In 2013 the Broncos went 13-3 again and won the AFC West for the third consecutive year.[7] They would go on to Super Bowl XLVIII and lost to the Seattle Seahawks 8-43.[8]

During the 2014 off-season, the Broncos signed defensive end DeMarcus Ware.[9] In 2014, the Broncos went 12-4 and won the AFC West for the fourth time.[10] They would go on to lose in the Divisional Round against the Indianapolis Colts 13-24.[11] Under his coaching, DeMarcus Ware made the Pro Bowl.[12] After this season, head coach John Fox was not resigned and his staff was laid off.[13]

Chicago Bears[]

On January 25, 2015, Chicago Bears named Rodgers the defensive line coach, reuniting with new head coach John Fox.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16][17] They also resigned Mitch Unrein and added Akiem Hicks, but let Jarvis Jenkins go to the New York Jets.[18][19][20] 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.[21]

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.[22][23] 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.[24] In 2018, the Bears went 12-4, the first winning season since 2012 and playoff appearance since 2010.[25] 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.[26] 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).[27]

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.[28][29] The Bears also resigned defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris.[30]

Coaching tree[]

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.[31]

External links[]

References[]

  1. "Jay Rodgers joins Chicago Bears' staff". ESPN. January 26, 2015. http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago-bears/post/_/id/4697099/jay-rodgers-joins-bears-staff. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  2. Klis, Mike (May 14, 2012). "Broncos' Wayne Nunnely, longtime assistant coach, retires from NFL". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20621635/broncos-wayne-nunnely-longtime-assistant-coach-retires-from.
  3. Krier, Chris (December 3, 2012). "Mile High Monday: Broncos Beat the Buccaneers and Win the AFC West". Predominately Orange. http://predominantlyorange.com/2012/12/03/mile-high-monday-broncos-beat-the-buccaneers-and-win-the-afc-west/.
  4. Caldwell, Gray; Zaas, Stuart (January 12, 2013). "Double-OT Heartbreaker Ends Denver's Season". Denver Broncos. http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Double-OT-Heartbreaker-Ends-Denvers-Season/73d0f072-f98d-492d-8348-3551c7b2c516.
  5. "Luck steps in for Brady on AFC Pro Bowl squad" (in en). 2013-01-21. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/8865671.
  6. Klis, Mike (2013-04-25). "DT Sylvester Williams is Denver Broncos’ pick at No. 28 of 2013 NFL draft" (in en-US). https://www.denverpost.com/2013/04/25/dt-sylvester-williams-is-denver-broncos-pick-at-no-28-of-2013-nfl-draft/.
  7. Niesen, Joan (December 27, 2013). "Broncos' AFC West three-peat powered by John Fox's trot". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_24799700/broncos-afc-west-powered-john-fox.
  8. Klis, Mike (February 2, 2014). "Broncos, Peyton Manning struggle in Super Bowl blowout by Seahawks". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_25048459/broncos-peyton-manning-super-bowl-blowout-seahawks.
  9. Klis, Mike (March 12, 2014). "DeMarcus Ware signs with Broncos as John Elway quick-fixes Denver defense". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_25328136/demarcus-ware-broncos-agree-contract.
  10. Klis, Mike (December 14, 2014). "Broncos sack Chargers to win fourth consecutive AFC West title". The Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_27136365/manning-battles-flu-thigh-injury-lead-broncos-afc-west-title.
  11. "Andrew Luck leads Colts to upset of Peyton Manning, Broncos". ESPN. January 11, 2015. http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400749517.
  12. Giudice, Lauren (December 23, 2014). "Nine Broncos named to Pro Bowl". Denver Broncos. http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Nine-Broncos-named-to-Pro-Bowl/44af5287-108b-4147-85bc-351ab1d18427.
  13. Breech, John (January 12, 2015). "John Fox out as Denver Broncos coach: Three things to know" (in en). https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/john-fox-out-as-denver-broncos-coach-three-things-to-know/.
  14. "Jay Rodgers" (in en-US). https://www.chicagobears.com/team/coaches/jay-rodgers?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook.
  15. Wiederer, Dan (January 19, 2016). "Bears' Eddie Goldman, Adrian Amos make all-rookie team". https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-eddie-goldman-adrian-amos-rookie-team-20160119-story.html.
  16. Mayer, Larry (April 29, 2016). "Bears draft Bullard in third round". http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-draft-Bullard-in-third-round/5d1387e5-352a-4a86-97c6-f081f78937d6.
  17. Mayer, Larry (May 9, 2016). "Bears sign seven draft picks, 10 others". Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171216144013/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-sign-seven-draft-picks-10-others/67c5f27e-70f3-47b0-91ea-49c8d5c0be8d.
  18. Tarsitano, Rick (March 12, 2016). "Bears bring back defensive lineman Mitch Unrein on 2-year deal". http://wgntv.com/2016/03/12/bears-bring-back-defensive-lineman-mitch-unrein-on-2-year-deal/.
  19. Patra, Kevin (March 14, 2016). "Bears add DE Akiem Hicks on a 2-year contract". NFL.com. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000644114/article/bears-add-de-akiem-hicks-on-a-2year-contract/.
  20. Finley, Patrick (March 16, 2016). "Ex-Bears DE Jarvis Jenkins finalizes contract with Jets". Chicago Sun-Times. http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/ex-bears-de-jarvis-jenkins-finalizes-contract-with-jets/.
  21. Patra, Kevin (January 1, 2018). "Chicago Bears fire coach John Fox after 5-11 season". National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901544/article/chicago-bears-fire-coach-john-fox-after-511-season.
  22. Patra, Kevin (January 1, 2018). "Chicago Bears fire coach John Fox after 5-11 season". National Football League. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180101174300/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901544/article/chicago-bears-fire-coach-john-fox-after-511-season.
  23. Potash, Mark (January 13, 2018). "Return of DC Vic Fangio another big win for new Bears coach Matt Nagy". Chicago Sun-Times. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/return-of-dc-vic-fangio-another-big-win-for-new-bears-coach-matt-nagy/.
  24. Kane, Colleen; Campbell, Rich (April 28, 2018). "Bears draft ILB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, DL Bilal Nichols, OLB Kylie Fitts, WR Javon Wims". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-joel-iyiegbuniwe-nfl-draft-20180428-story.html.
  25. Perez, Bryan (December 9, 2018). "Bears defense leads team to 1st winning season in 6 years". USA Today (Bears Wire). https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/09/bears-defense-leads-team-to-1st-winning-season-in-6-years/.
  26. Eurich, Matt (December 18, 2018). "Seven Chicago Bears named alternates to 2019 Pro Bowl". https://247sports.com/nfl/chicago-bears/Article/Mitch-Trubisky-Bears-2019-Pro-Bowl-alternates-126556499/.
  27. Mayer, Larry (March 7, 2019). "Rodgers named NFL d-line coach of year". Chicago Bears. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/rodgers-named-nfl-d-line-coach-of-year.
  28. DiLalla, Aric (January 10, 2019). "Broncos agree to terms with Vic Fangio to become head coach". https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-vic-fangio-to-become-head-coach.
  29. Mayer, Larry (January 11, 2019). "Bears hire Pagano as defensive coordinator". https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-hire-pagano-as-defensive-coordinator.
  30. Barbieri, Alyssa (April 15, 2019). "Bears re-sign Roy Robertson-Harris and Isaiah Irving". USA Today (Bears Wire). https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/15/bears-re-sign-roy-robertson-harris-and-isaiah-irving/.
  31. Patrick Finley (December 24, 2015). "Bro bro bro: Rodgers coaches team up on Bears staff". Chicago Sun-Times. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/bro-bro-bro-rodgers-coaches-team-up-on-bears-staff/. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
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