The Jets will soon have their defensive coordinator back. Kacy Rodgers received clearance to resume his duties, Todd Bowles confirmed on Monday.
While Rodgers will be eased back into action, per the New York Post’s Brian Costello (on Twitter), he should be in line to coach again soon after an illness forced him to step away earlier this month. While Rodgers was on the Jets’ sideline Sunday during the team’s win over the Colts, he was not coaching. It sounds like that will change in the near future.
It was believed at a point the 49-year-old DC was going to need an extended absence to move past this illness, but it’s obviously a nice surprise that won’t be necessary. Rodgers will return to a 3-3 Jets team, which has beaten the Broncos and Colts the past two weeks.
His presence provided a “big lift” to the Jets in Week 6. While Rodgers did not address Gang Green’s defense as a group, he spoke with some players individually before the game.
Rodgers has been the Jets’ defensive boss for the past four seasons, coming to the Big Apple when Bowles was hired in 2015. Bowles has called Jets defensive plays during Rodgers’ absence. It’s unclear when his top defensive lieutenant will resume that part of his role.