The Las Vegas Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly on Sunday, ending his tenure just 10 games into his first season with the organization.
Kelly’s dismissal came hours after a 24-10 loss to Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns, a defeat that dropped Las Vegas to 2-9 and extended one of the NFL’s least productive offensive stretches. The Raiders have failed to score more than 20 points in six of their last seven games.
“I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders,” first-year coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. “I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future.”
Kelly, 61, arrived in Las Vegas after helping guide Ohio State to a national championship as offensive coordinator last season. He was brought in to modernize a stagnant unit and develop young personnel, but the offense never found its rhythm under his direction.
Sunday’s loss added an unusual footnote. One of the first quarterback camps Sanders attended as a teenager was under Kelly at UCLA. His first NFL win came at the expense of the former Bruins coach’s most recent job.
Kelly’s next move will draw attention. With rivalry week heating up in college football, Carroll’s timing may open the door for Kelly to return to the college ranks, either as a head coach or offensive coordinator down the line. For now, a playoff-bound college team could also hire him as an analyst. And after last season’s success with Ohio State, a reunion with Ryan Day is another scenario that could quickly emerge.
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