Chip Kelly is set to make a return to the NFL, taking the position of offensive coordinator with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity prior to the team’s official announcement.
Kelly most recently held the role of offensive coordinator for Ohio State’s national championship team, following a notable career as a head coach at institutions like Oregon and UCLA, as well as serving in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
This move marks the second significant decision by new Raiders coach Pete Carroll, who previously confirmed the retention of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Kelly’s hiring aims to rejuvenate an offense that had struggled significantly last season, ranking among the bottom in the league with an average of 303.2 yards per game and finishing dead last in rushing with just 79.8 yards on average.
One of the primary challenges for the Raiders will be finding a quarterback capable of competing in a tough AFC West division, which includes standout players like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix—each of whom helped lead their teams into the playoffs this year. Mahomes notably is aiming for his third consecutive Super Bowl appearance as the Kansas City Chiefs seek to secure an unprecedented third successive Lombardi Trophy.
The Raiders have faced numerous offensive hurdles, including the inability to adequately replace running back Josh Jacobs, who has signed with the Green Bay Packers. Furthermore, they experienced a setback when dynamic wide receiver Davante Adams was traded mid-season to the New York Jets.
Nevertheless, there are positive aspects to build upon. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers made history, while Jakobi Meyers achieved his first season surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. Additionally, offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze have shown promising potential as rookies, and tackle Kolton Miller has also contributed to the team’s foundational strength.
Kelly initially made a name for himself as an innovative offensive strategist while serving as Oregon’s offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008, and continued as head coach for the subsequent four seasons. His tenure featured an impressive 46-7 record, including a trip to the Bowl Championship Series national championship game in the 2010 season, finishing within the top four of the AP poll during his last three years.
Under his leadership, Oregon boasted one of the nation’s best offenses, averaging over 500 yards per game throughout those final three seasons while implementing a high-tempo approach that posed difficulties for opposing defenses and reduced the possibility for substituting players.
Following his successful stint at Oregon, Kelly moved to Philadelphia, where he achieved a 10-6 record in both of his initial seasons but was dismissed after a 6-9 finish in 2015. Afterward, he had a brief and unsuccessful term with the 49ers, concluding with a dismal 2-14 record.
He then returned to coaching in college in 2018 at UCLA. Although he experienced a rocky start with consecutive losing seasons, the Bruins finished strong under his management, with a record of 25-13 in his last three years, despite ongoing questions regarding his job security. After leaving UCLA following the 2023 season, Kelly took the reins of the offense at Ohio State, guiding the Buckeyes through the College Football Playoff, where they scored a remarkable 83 points in the first two rounds, eventually prevailing over Texas 28-14 in the semifinals and Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game.
