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The Las Vegas Raiders have removed Chip Kelly from the offensive coordinator role after a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. The decision arrives amid growing frustration over an offense that has struggled to produce and a front office eager to salvage the rest of the season.
Coaching shake-up follows another disappointing defeat
Team leadership acted quickly after the Week 12 setback. Kelly’s exit signals a willingness to make bold moves to change the offense’s trajectory.
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The Raiders entered the season with renewed optimism. New head coach Pete Carroll, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, and veteran quarterback Geno Smith formed the core of a planned turnaround. Results, however, fell short through the halfway point of the year.
Cold numbers: how the offense underperformed
Statistical trends laid bare the problems. Las Vegas struggled to move the ball consistently and convert drives into points.
- Through 10 games, the team averaged just 15.5 points per game.
- Total offense sat near the bottom of the league at about 269 yards per game.
- Passing output averaged roughly 187.6 yards per game.
- Rushing production lagged at about 81.4 yards per game.
In Week 12 specifically, the offense managed 268 yards. Geno Smith threw for 208 yards while the team rushed for only 60 yards. Jeanty showed flashes with eight catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, but his 17 carries produced just 50 yards on the ground.
Reasons behind the decision to fire Kelly
Multiple factors contributed to the dismissal. Fundamentally, the offense failed to meet expectations. The front office cited the need for a new voice to revive scoring and efficiency.
Kelly had been hired on a high-profile deal reported to average about $6 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid coordinators in football. That investment, and the lack of results, likely sped up the move.
What this means for the Raiders’ immediate plans
The team now faces key decisions about offensive leadership for the rest of the year. An interim coordinator is expected while the organization evaluates long-term options.
- The offense will be judged on improved tempo, yardage and scoring in the coming weeks.
- How the coaching change affects Geno Smith’s performance will be watched closely.
- Rookie Ashton Jeanty will likely remain central to the plan, with adjustments to better use his skills.
Chip Kelly’s coaching timeline and notable stops
Kelly’s career spans college and the NFL, with roles at multiple levels. He gained attention for innovative offenses and a fast-paced approach.
Major positions held
- Early role coaching defensive backs at Columbia University in 1990.
- Defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins in the early 1990s.
- Offensive coordinator at New Hampshire from the late 1990s into the 2000s.
- Oregon staff: offensive coordinator in 2007–2008, then head coach from 2009–2012.
- Head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013–2015.
- Brief tenure as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.
- Head coach at UCLA from 2018 until 2023.
- Served as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2024.
- Joined the Las Vegas Raiders as offensive coordinator for the 2025 season.
Reaction and next steps around the league
The move drew immediate attention across NFL circles. Some analysts called the firing predictable given the offensive slide. Others noted the rarity of parting ways so quickly with a high-paid coordinator.
With the season still in progress, the Raiders will have a short runway to show improvement. The next few games will be critical for evaluating whether a midseason coaching change can spark better production.
