Raiders Part Ways with Chip Kelly After Offensive Struggles
In a surprising move late Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that Chip Kelly has been relieved of his duties as the team’s offensive coordinator. The decision came just hours after a frustrating 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game that saw the Raiders’ offense struggle mightily, surrendering ten sacks and averaging only 3.6 yards per play. Head Coach Pete Carroll confirmed the decision, 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.”
Kelly, who joined the Raiders’ staff after a stint at Ohio State in 2024, had become the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL at a reported $6 million per year. Despite his impressive résumé, which includes head coaching stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and UCLA, his time in Las Vegas proved challenging. For weeks, there had been speculation that Kelly and Carroll were struggling to coexist, and the team’s ongoing offensive woes only intensified that tension. Ultimately, it was made clear that they could not operate effectively together, even in the short term.
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This marks Kelly’s first NFL role as a coordinator after years of experience as a head coach. His coaching career has been marked by flashes of brilliance—most notably during his time at Oregon, where his fast-paced, innovative offense earned national attention. However, his professional coaching stints in the NFL have often been rocky. After a promising start with the Eagles in 2013, he was dismissed after three seasons and then had a brief, one-year tenure with the 49ers. His return to the college ranks at UCLA from 2018 through 2023 allowed him to rebuild his reputation before attempting this NFL comeback with the Raiders.
The Raiders are currently 2-9 on the season, and Kelly’s dismissal highlights the team’s ongoing struggles. Carroll acknowledged the challenges in the postgame press conference, pointing to the offense’s inability to capitalize on opportunities and the quarterback being under constant duress. “If you don’t score, you can’t win,” Carroll remarked. “And we couldn’t score.” While the team has yet to name an interim offensive coordinator, it’s clear that sweeping changes are being considered as the Raiders attempt to salvage what remains of the season.
Kelly becomes the second Raiders coordinator to be let go this month, following the departure of special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. For now, the focus will be on reorganizing the coaching staff and finding a path forward for an offense that has struggled to find rhythm and consistency. Whatever happens next, this chapter marks another dramatic turn in Chip Kelly’s unpredictable coaching journey, reminding everyone that success in football is never guaranteed, even for experienced veterans.
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