📉 Disastrous Debut: Reeling Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly After 11 Games
📉 Disastrous Debut: Reeling Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly After 11 Games
The Las Vegas Raiders have made a drastic midseason change, firing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly following the team's disastrous offensive performance in a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Kelly, who was brought in as the highest-paid coordinator in the league, lasted just 11 games in his return to the NFL.
Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll, also in his first season with the franchise, announced the decision late Sunday evening, shortly after the team dropped to a dismal 2-9 record.
"I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders," Coach Carroll said in a statement. "I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future."
I. A High-Stakes Hire That Failed Immediately
Chip Kelly's hiring was seen as a major splash for the Raiders under the new regime led by Coach Carroll. Kelly had just helped the Ohio State Buckeyes win the national championship as their offensive coordinator in 2024, and his unique offensive mind was expected to revolutionize the Raiders' attack.
Record Contract: Kelly was reportedly signed to a contract worth $6 million per year, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL.
The Quarterback Factor: The Raiders also acquired quarterback Geno Smith, a player who had experienced a career resurgence under Carroll in Seattle, and paired him with highly-touted rookie running back Ashton Jeanty (drafted 6th overall).
Failed Expectations: Despite the expensive talent infusion, the offense never found its footing.
The Numbers That Led to the Firing
The Raiders' offense under Kelly was historically bad, ranking near the bottom of the league in multiple critical categories through Week 12:
Points Per Game: Tied for last in the NFL with just 15.0 points per game.
Total Offense: Ranked third-worst in the league in yards per game (approx. 268.9).
Rushing Yards: Ranked second-worst in the league in rushing yards per game (approx. 79.5).
Sacks Allowed: The offensive line, hampered by injuries to key starters like Kolton Miller, surrendered 10 sacks in Sunday's loss alone, leading to an untenable situation for quarterback Geno Smith.
Kelly’s scheme, which previously found success in college and briefly with the Philadelphia Eagles, proved unable to adapt to the talent deficiencies, particularly along the offensive line, or to elevate the play of the new personnel.
II. The Tipping Point: Sacked 10 Times
The 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday served as the final straw. While the defense held the Browns in check for much of the game, the offense was anemic, unable to sustain drives or protect the quarterback.
Geno Smith, who regressed sharply under Kelly's play-calling, finished the day with 285 yards and one touchdown, but the 10 sacks and eight punts rendered the offense impotent.
Speaking after the game, Kelly acknowledged the situation: "I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders; bottom line in this league you have to win," Kelly told an NFL reporter. "But hey, we gotta win. I get it."
The firing is the second coordinator change for Pete Carroll this season, following the dismissal of special teams coordinator Tom McMahon earlier in November. This also marks the third consecutive year the Raiders have fired an offensive coordinator mid-season, a worrying sign of instability for the franchise.
III. Immediate Future: Who Steps In?
Coach Carroll did not immediately name an interim offensive coordinator to take over the play-calling duties for the remaining six games.
The most likely candidate to assume the role is Greg Olson, the current Raiders Quarterbacks Coach, who has previous experience as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 under former coach Jon Gruden. The Raiders will now attempt to salvage some positive momentum for the final stretch of the 2025 season under new offensive leadership.
Kelly’s brief tenure with the Raiders concludes his third, and arguably most disappointing, attempt to find long-term success in the NFL after previous head coaching stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
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