by The Las Vegas Raiders have officially parted ways with Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly, making a dramatic move just hours after yet another woeful offensive performance. This dismissal, confirmed by the team on Sunday night, follows a brutal 24-10 home loss to the Cleveland Browns that saw the Raiders drop to a disappointing 2-9 record for the season. The decision to Raiders fire Chip Kelly marks the end of a highly anticipated, yet ultimately disastrous, 11-game tenure for the high-profile coordinator.
The struggles of the Raiders’ offense, which has been stagnant and consistently underperforming all season, ultimately forced the organization to Raiders fire Chip Kelly in a move aimed at salvaging what’s left of the year.
📉 Offensive Anemia Seals Kelly’s Fate
The catalyst for the decision to Raiders fire Chip Kelly was Sunday’s game, a stark display of the team’s season-long struggles. Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked a staggering 10 times, a damning indictment of the protection scheme and play-calling under Kelly. This latest loss continued a disturbing trend: the Raiders have scored 16 points or fewer in four of their last five games, failing to break double digits in three of those contests.
The overall offensive statistics paint a grim picture, with Las Vegas tied for last in the NFL in points per game (15.0), second-worst in yards per rush (3.54), and consistently near the bottom in most other major offensive categories. The front office felt they had no choice but to Raiders fire Chip Kelly to spark a change.
💰 The High-Stakes Hire That Failed to Deliver
Kelly’s arrival in Las Vegas this year was met with significant fanfare and high expectations. He was reportedly given a $6 million contract, making him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive coordinator, which helped lure him away from a successful college stint as Ohio State’s OC, where he helped win a national championship. This large investment was meant to revitalize an offense that desperately needed a modern, innovative scheme. Unfortunately, Kelly’s system never clicked with the Raiders’ personnel, including high-draft picks like rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. The failure of this high-profile partnership made the decision to Raiders fire Chip Kelly a painful but necessary business move.
🎤 Head Coach Pete Carroll Confirms the Dismissal
The firing was announced by Head Coach Pete Carroll, who is in his first year leading the Raiders franchise. In a statement, Carroll confirmed the split, saying, “I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future.” This is Carroll’s second coordinator firing this month, underscoring the deep-seated issues within the coaching staff and the intense pressure to win. The organization’s immediate next step will be to name an interim coordinator to take the reins after they made the difficult choice to Raiders fire Chip Kelly.
🧐 What Went Wrong in Kelly’s System?
A central point of contention in the team’s struggles has been the philosophical alignment and execution of Kelly’s offense. Many critics and fans questioned the overall game plan, especially the tendency to lean heavily on the pass even when the running game, featuring the highly touted rookie Jeanty, seemed neglected. One notable example came in a recent loss to Dallas, where the Raiders called 32 pass plays versus only three runs in the first half. While the offensive line has also struggled with injuries and poor play—a fact independent of Kelly—it was ultimately his job to elevate the performance of the unit. The inability to produce consistent, high-scoring drives is the main reason the team had to Raiders fire Chip Kelly.
🛣️ Kelly’s Tumultuous NFL Coaching Histor
The dismissal of Chip Kelly marks another disappointing chapter in his NFL coaching career. Prior to his one-season stint with the Raiders, Kelly had previous NFL head coaching experience with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015) and the San Francisco 49ers (2016), with both tenures ending abruptly. His college success at Oregon, where his teams were renowned for their high-octane, fast-paced offense, did not consistently translate to the professional level. After his NFL head coaching stints, he returned to the college game as the head coach at UCLA (2018-2023) before his year at Ohio State. The fact that the Raiders fire Chip Kelly after only 11 games suggests a profound mismatch between his system and the Raiders’ roster or overall strategy.
🔮 What’s Next for the Raiders Offense?
The immediate focus for the Las Vegas Raiders will be identifying an interim offensive coordinator to take over play-calling duties. This move, made after the decision to Raiders fire Chip Kelly, will test the depth of the current coaching staff. The goal is simple: inject life and greater productivity into an offense that has looked lifeless and confused for much of the season. The final weeks of the season will now serve as an audition for the next play-caller and will be crucial in determining the direction of the franchise heading into next year. The pressure is immense to make a swift and positive adjustment now that the Raiders had to Raiders fire Chip Kelly.
