The Las Vegas Raiders have decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly following a series of disappointing performances, the most recent being a 24-10 defeat by the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Pete Carroll announced Kelly's dismissal last night in a move that also saw senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell let go—a decision reflecting the franchise's urgency to reverse its troubling 2-9 trajectory this season, according to reports from AP News and NBC Sports.
The Raiders' offense has been particularly lackluster under Kelly's direction, tying for last in the NFL with a meager 15 points per game and showcasing deficiencies across the board including a faltering run game, with rookie Ashton Jeanty averaging just 3.6 yards per carry despite high expectations following his sixth overall draft selection, and quarterback Geno Smith tying for the highest number of interceptions in the league, making it clear that Carroll's high-profile hire has not worked out as intended the team's offensive strategy raising eyebrows for its imbalance, such as calling 32 pass plays but only three runs in the first half of their game against Dallas according to the figures and gameplay details provided by ESPN.
Chip Kelly's tenure with the Raiders comes to an end after just one season, a disappointing term for a coordinator who was expected to reinvigorate an offense struggling to make its mark in the league; meanwhile, Carroll has not indicated a replacement coordinator, leaving the future direction of the Raiders' offense uncertain. Alas, the franchise is now tasked with seeking a viable strategy to ameliorate their offensive woes, which have only been compounded by significant injuries to starters such as Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Reflecting on his departure, Kelly told NFL reporter Jay Glazer, as obtained by ESPN, "I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders; bottom line in this league you have to win," adding, "I really loved those players. I'm a huge, huge Geno Smith fan. That was one of the best parts of this experience for me, working with Geno and those guys every day," acknowledging the harsh reality of professional football where results on the field are the ultimate measure of coaching success, with Las Vegas previously making a similar midseason adjustment when Luke Getsy was released in 2024, an indication of the franchise's restless search for winning formulas.
