By Sunday 
A Respected Veteran Joins Detroit’s Coaching Staff
The Detroit Lions made a significant addition to their coaching staff this offseason, bringing in Kacy Rodgers as their new defensive line coach. Rodgers arrives with an impressive resume and a long history with both Todd Bowles and Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Bowles, who worked with Rodgers for over 15 years, had nothing but praise for his former colleague. “They’re getting a heck of a coach,” Bowles said. “He understands football inside and out. Me and Kacy have been together for 15+ years now. He’s like a brother to me.”
A Seamless Transition for Rodgers
Rodgers’ hiring follows the departure of Terrell Williams, who took a defensive coordinator job with the New England Patriots. While losing Williams was a tough blow, Campbell sees Rodgers as the perfect replacement.
“That was the hardest thing. I got Terrell and then a year later, he’s gone,” Campbell said. “I was fortunate to get Kacy Rodgers here after that… He and Kacy, I think, are one and two.”
Rodgers has spent the last six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where his defensive front was consistently among the league’s best. Before that, he coached under Bowles with the New York Jets and had previous stops in Miami and Dallas, where he crossed paths with Campbell.
Proven Success in the Trenches
Rodgers’ track record speaks for itself. Under his guidance, the Buccaneers ranked in the top 10 in sacks in five straight seasons and excelled in stopping the run. He has worked with elite defensive linemen like DeMarcus Ware, Cameron Wake, and Vita Vea, and now he’ll have a chance to develop young Lions stars like Aidan Hutchinson.
Campbell is confident that Rodgers will make an immediate impact. “I think he’s going to be great for our D-line. I think Hutch and those guys are going to really like him and gravitate to him,” he said.
Rodgers is the fourth defensive line coach Detroit has had in as many years, but with his experience and reputation, he could be the long-term solution the Lions need.