Jeff Rodgers

Jeff Rodgers (born January 12, 1978) is an American professional football coach who is the special teams coordinator for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as assistant coach for the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers.

Early life Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rodgers moved to Austin, Texas, with his family when his father accepted a coaching position at the University of Texas. He attended Westlake High School in Austin, the same high school attended by NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Nick Foles, and was schoolmates with the former. Jeff's brother, Jay, is currently the defensive line coach with the Atlanta Falcons. Rodgers played linebacker at North Texas from 1996 to 1999. It was there that he earned a degree in business, specializing in entrepreneurship and strategic management.

Coaching career

University of Arizona Rodgers started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at University of Arizona. Rodgers coached the Bears from 2015 to 2017.

The Bears had three special teams TDs in 2017 (two punt return, one fake punt), tied with the Rams for the most in the NFL. Rookie PR Tarik Cohen averaged 9.4 yards per punt return in 2017 (ninth in the NFL) and had a 61-yard return for a TD while KR Deonte Thompson ranked second in the NFL in 2016 in kick return yards (804). Sherrick McManis led the Bears in special teams tackles in each of the past three seasons (2015–17) while P Pat O'Donnell allowed just 22 punt returns in 2016, tied for the third fewest in the NFL among punters who appeared in 16 games. He was not retained after the firing of John Fox. In 2019, Rodgers was retained by the new head coach of the Cardinals, Kliff Kingsbury. In 2020, Rodgers was promoted to assistant head coach.

On October 15, 2021, Kingsbury and several other coaching staff members tested positive for COVID-19. This resulted in Rodgers and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph taking over as co-interim head coaches for the Cardinals' week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2021, and they led the Cardinals' to a 37–14 win.

Buffalo Bills After the 2025 season, Rodgers was hired as the special teams coordinator for the Buffalo Bills on January 30, 2026.