Bears DL coach Jay Rodgers heading to Chargers

Defensive line coach Jay Rodgers, one of the Bears’ best position coaches, is leaving the team, a source confirmed late Wednesday night.

Rodgers will join Brandon Staley, with whom he worked from 2017-18 in Chicago, as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff. Staley, who was hired as head coach earlier this week, coached outside linebackers for the Bears.

Rodgers was considered an in-house defensive coordinator candidate for the Bears, who are still looking to replace Chuck Pagano.

Rodgers has coached for the Bears since 2015, when, along with brother Jeff, a special teams coordinator, he followed head coach John Fox from the Broncos.

Rodgers helped develop those in his position group better than almost any assistant in the league. Akiem Hicks became a Pro Bowl player and Eddie Goldman became one of the most well respected nose tackles in the NFL. Bilal Nichols has developed into a starter, while Nick Williams, Mario Edwards and Roy Robertson-Harris all thrived in part-time roles.