LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have hired Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator.
Rodgers spent the past four years in the same role with the Denver Broncos under coach John Fox , the Bears' new coach, and spent two seasons on Fox's staff in Carolina.
The Broncos ranked 10th in the NFL in gross punting average and 11th in net punting average under Rodgers. Kicker Matt Prater made the Pro Bowl after setting franchise records for field goal percentage (96.2) and points scored (150) during the 2013 season. He also set an NFL record that year with a 64-yard field goal.
This season, Connor Barth's field goal percentage (93.8) was second-highest in franchise history.
Rodgers was Carolina's special teams assistant in 2009 and coordinator in 2010.
The Bears announced the hiring Monday.