Chip Kelly’s return to the NFL ended abruptly Sunday night. Moments after the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense delivered its worst performance of the season, head coach Pete Carroll informed Kelly he was being relieved of his duties. The move capped a stunning fall for the highest-paid offensive coordinator in league history and signaled a dramatic shift inside a franchise running out of patience.
Kelly, who signed a three-year, $18 million fully guaranteed deal this offseason, lasted only 11 games.
A Breaking Point After a 10-Sack Meltdown
The Raiders’ offensive issues have been obvious for weeks. Sunday’s loss made them unavoidable. Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 10 times, tying a mark that hadn’t been reached since Jeff George in 1998. The protection breakdowns left the offense dysfunctional and the coaching staff visibly frustrated on the sideline.
Carroll, known throughout his 14-year Seahawks tenure for avoiding in-season coordinator firings, has now made two such moves in just 11 games with Las Vegas. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was dismissed recently. Kelly is next.
The decision, per multiple team sources, was entirely Carroll’s, a sign of how much authority he now holds inside the building.
Criticism Grew Loud Before the Firing
Before the game, former Raiders guard Richie Incognito delivered a blistering assessment of Kelly’s system on the 33rd Team and 365 Sports.
“Chip Kelly’s offense is not translating to the NFL. It is a complete mess,” Incognito said. “He thinks he’s smarter than everybody… but in the NFL, there’s a lot of smart guys and a lot of great players.”
Incognito specifically criticized Kelly’s refusal to lean on the run game to set up play-action, saying the coordinator “thinks in his infinite wisdom” that play-action can work without a ground threat. His comments reflected a growing frustration among alumni and fans who have watched the Raiders produce some of the league’s most stagnant offensive football.
Kelly’s background: Oregon, the Eagles, a one-and-done stint with the 49ers and most recently Ohio State reignited questions about whether his tempo-driven, spread-heavy approach can succeed against NFL defenses. Eleven games into the experiment, the answer appears clear.
Injuries Complicated Evaluation, But Didn’t Save Kelly
The Raiders have battled injuries across the offensive line, forcing backups into major roles. Supporters argued it was impossible to evaluate Kelly fairly with a depleted unit. Others pointed to the presence of Carroll’s son as the offensive line coach and questioned whether the wrong coach was being blamed.
Carroll ended the debate Sunday.
By allowing Kelly’s firing, with $18 million guaranteed still owed, owner Mark Davis signaled his continued commitment to Carroll beyond this season. No organization makes a move this costly unless the head coach’s job is secure.
Greg Olsen Steps Into a Massive Opportunity
Quarterbacks coach Greg Olsen is expected to take over play-calling duties. The veteran assistant brings more than two decades of NFL experience, including multiple stints with the Raiders. He worked with Derek Carr as a rookie, spent several years on Jon Gruden’s staff, and most recently coached in Los Angeles and Seattle before returning to Las Vegas this year.
For Olsen, this could be more than a temporary promotion. If he can stabilize the offense and help the Raiders evaluate Smith, early-round rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, and a battered line, he may position himself for the full-time job.
Carroll Hinted at a Major Move
After the loss, Carroll was asked why Raiders fans should remain hopeful.
“There’s a light at the end of the tunnel… something good’s just about to happen,” he said, catching himself mid-sentence.
Hours later, the organization announced Kelly’s dismissal.
Whether this is the spark Carroll promised remains to be seen. But the Raiders made one thing clear: doing nothing was no longer an option.