John Fox Backs 'Capable' Bears Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Rodgers

By Chris Emma—

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) – With a blocker to his side, Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels ran toward the end zone, with only Bears punter Pat O'Donnell in the way on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.

Chicago's punt coverage had faltered, and Sherels took it 65 yards to the house for a Minnesota touchdown. O'Donnell wasn't able to make an attempt at preventing the score.

"At the end of the day, you're not designing coverages that your punter is a major factor of the coverage," Bears coach John Fox said.

Return touchdowns against the Bears have become a trend this season. Sherels' scamper was the third return touchdown Chicago has allowed this season.

In Week 2, Arizona's David Johnson took back the opening kick 108 yards for a touchdown. One week later, Seattle's Tyler Lockett returned a kick 105 yards to open the second half. Sunday's touchdown from Sherels gave Minnesota a 7-3 lead in the first quarter, part of a 23-20 win over Chicago.

"Without going into too much detail, it was not a well-executed play," Fox said.

Fox did point to a poor kick from O'Donnell and issues in containment that allowed Sherels room to roam. The left side of the line appeared to be late off the snap and slow in approaching the returner.

Bears special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers spent the last four seasons with Fox in Denver, so the two have great familiarity with each other. Fox defended Rodgers amid his unit's great struggles.

"He's definitely a very capable coach," Fox said of Rodgers. "I don't have any concerns in that area."

When asked to compare Chicago's special teams unit to those from Denver, Fox declined to elaborate, citing differences in the situations. The Bears have seen plenty of roster turnover, which has led to mixing and matching personnel in special teams.

For comparison, the Bears allowed just one return touchdown each of the past two seasons under special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis and three during the long tenure of the highly acclaimed Dave Toub, who served in the role from 2004 through 2012.

The Bears haven't had a return touchdown themselves since Chris Williams returned a fourth-quarter kickoff against the Packers in a blowout loss last season. Current returner Marc Mariani's longest kickoff return went 38 yards and longest punt return went 20 yards.

In evaluating his entire team, Fox offered similar sentiments to those of his special teams.

"Right now, 2-5," Fox said. "That's kind of what we are, where we are."

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.