Retaining Jeff Rodgers is an outstanding move by the Arizona Cardinals

The special teams coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals could be the most-qualified assistant on Jonathan Gannon's staff.

The coaching staff that Jonathan Gannon has assembled since he joined the Arizona Cardinals is chock-full of question marks. It's an inexperienced group of individuals that will be attempting to bring the Redbirds back to respectability in 2023 and beyond.

The same can't be said about Jeff Rodgers, the only holdover thus far from former coach Kliff Kingsbury's contingent. Gannon has elected to hold onto an assistant who has been Arizona's special teams coordinator since 2018. Why was Rodgers worth keeping around?

Rodgers originally came to the Cardinals five years ago, when Steve Wilks was hired to replace the highly-successful Bruce Arians. After posting an ugly 3-13 record, Wilks was sent packing and Kingsbury was brought in to clean up the mess. Rodgers' impressive accomplishments were not overlooked, however, and the special teams guru was kept on board to perform that exact same duty under Kingsbury.

Arizona Cardinals could retain special teams continuity with Jeff Rodgers remaining on board

Retaining Rodgers could have an impact on what the Cards' special teams unit will look like next season. Placekicker Matt Prater, punter Andy Lee and longsnapper Aaron Brewer are all headed for free agency. With Rodgers staying put, there's a possibility that general manager Monti Ossenfort could decide to hang onto each member of that valued trio as well.

Back in 2020, Arizona added "assistant head coach" to Rodgers' job description. Now that Gannon is taking over the squad, nothing will change in that regard. The 44-year-old Rodgers will also serve as Gannon's right-hand man with the Cardinals, a decision that sounds like a fantastic one by the first-time head coach.

Gannon and his assistant coaches have a lot to prove with the Cards. Several of the 40-year-old's choices could best be described as "wet behind the ears". Having Rodgers' experienced shoulder to lean on in trying times can only benefit the wide-eyed Gannon in the long run.