Connor Senger’s coaching star is rising fast-and it’s not just the Packers who’ve taken notice.
The former Milwaukee Pius XI and Wisconsin Badgers quarterback, now serving as the Arizona Cardinals’ pass game specialist, is suddenly one of the most sought-after young offensive minds in the NFL. At just 30 years old, Senger is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams for roles that could significantly elevate his coaching profile.
Late last week, the Green Bay Packers requested permission to interview Senger for their open quarterbacks coach position. That spot opened up when Sean Mannion left to become the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator. For Senger, it would be a homecoming of sorts-he’s a Wisconsin native with deep ties to the state’s football scene, and he worked under Jonathan Gannon in Arizona, who’s now Green Bay’s defensive coordinator.
But just as that news was circulating, another team jumped into the mix-and with an even bigger opportunity.
According to reports, the Chicago Bears have also requested to speak with Senger, this time about their vacant offensive coordinator job. That role became available when Declan Doyle left to join the Baltimore Ravens in the same capacity. If the Bears move forward, it would mark a major step up for Senger, and it would also add an intriguing layer to the NFC North rivalry-potentially pitting a Wisconsin-bred coach against his home-state team twice a year.
Senger’s path to this moment has been anything but conventional, and that’s part of what makes his rise so compelling. He grew up in West Allis and played quarterback at Pius XI before walking on at Wisconsin in 2013. After two seasons in Madison, he transferred to UW-Oshkosh, where he played in 11 games over two years.
From there, he wasted no time getting into coaching. He started by mentoring quarterbacks at Oshkosh, then moved to Carroll University in the same role.
He later coached running backs at UW-Whitewater before landing a quality control position at North Dakota State in 2020. That stint is noteworthy-NDSU had a young wide receiver named Christian Watson on the roster at the time, now one of the Packers’ top playmakers.
Senger joined the Cardinals in 2022 as a quarterbacks assistant and was promoted to pass game specialist by 2025. Along the way, he’s also been active in the college all-star circuit, working the East-West Shrine Game for the second straight year and previously contributing at the 2024 Senior Bowl.
And the interest doesn’t stop with Green Bay and Chicago. Senger has also interviewed for the Buffalo Bills’ quarterbacks coach position.
That staff now includes Jim Leonhard-another Wisconsin connection-who came aboard as defensive coordinator. The Eagles, too, are reportedly eyeing Senger for their quarterbacks coach vacancy.
It’s clear that teams see something in Senger’s trajectory: a sharp offensive mind with a versatile coaching background, a knack for player development, and a resume that’s growing more impressive by the year.
The Packers have already tapped into the Arizona pipeline this offseason, hiring Sam Siefkes-a fellow Wisconsin native and UW-La Crosse alum-as their new linebackers coach. Whether Senger follows him back to the Badger State, lands a coordinator gig in Chicago, or heads in an entirely different direction, one thing’s for sure: his coaching career is picking up serious momentum.