The Detroit Lions have added a well-renowned defensive line coach: former Bucs DL coach Kacy Rodgers.
The Detroit Lions have already begun the process of rebuilding their coaching staff. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions are hiring Kacy Rodgers as their next defensive line coach. He fills the exact role left vacant when Terrell Williams left earlier this week to become the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator.
Rodgers comes to Detroit after serving as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ run game coordinator/defensive line coach. So he’s taking a lateral move to Detroit after his contract with the Buccaneers expired. Rodgers has spent the last six seasons with the Buccaneers—the first three as the defensive line coach, and the following three with the same role but with run game coordinator added to his responsibilities.
The Buccaneers have had no shortage of defensive line talent run through their rankings during Rodgers’ tenure. Most notably, Rodgers helped build the careers of defensive tackle Vita Vea, William Gholston, and even helped our old friend Ndamukong Suh during the twilight of his career. In 2020, Rodgers earned the John Teerlinck Defensive Line Coach of the Year honors, given to the NFL’s top defensive line coach, as voted by NFL coaches. In 2024, the Buccaneers ranked t-sixth in sacks (46) and fourth in run defense (97.8 yards/game).
Rodgers crossed paths with Campbell in Miami when he was the Dolphins’ defensive line coach from 2008-14. Since that time, he’s been Todd Bowles’ defensive line coach with the Jets and Bucs and earned a run game coordinator title back in 2022.
Rodgers was on our list of potential defensive coordinator candidates for the Lions and the Green Bay Packers had also interviewed Rodgers for their defensive line coach vacancy.
