TL;DR
- Chip Kelly's tenure as Raiders offensive coordinator ended abruptly after 11 games.
- The Raiders' offense struggled significantly, highlighted by 10 sacks in their latest loss.
- Coach Pete Carroll made the decision, indicating his strong influence within the team.
- Quarterbacks coach Greg Olsen is expected to take over play-calling duties.
Chip Kelly's NFL comeback concluded suddenly Sunday evening. Shortly after the Las Vegas Raiders' offense had its poorest showing this season, head coach Pete Carroll told Kelly his services were no longer required. This decision marked a swift decline for the league's highest-paid offensive coordinator and indicated a significant change within a team that had lost its patience.
Kelly, who inked a three-year, $18 million fully guaranteed contract this offseason, only played in 11 games.
The Brink of Collapse Following a 10-Sack Meltdown
The Raiders' offensive struggles have been apparent for a while. Sunday's defeat made them impossible to ignore. Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 10 times, matching a record set by Jeff George back in 1998. These protection failures resulted in a disorganized offense and evident frustration from the coaching staff on the sideline.
During his 14-year Seahawks period, Carroll was recognized for refraining from dismissing coordinators mid-season. However, he's now made two such decisions in only 11 games with Las Vegas. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was recently let go. Kelly is now the one being replaced.
According to several team insiders, the choice was solely Carroll's, indicating the significant power he now wields within the organization.
Intensified criticism preceded the dismissal.
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 history: Oregon, the Eagles, a single season with the 49ers, and most recently his time at Ohio State have brought back doubts about whether his fast-paced, spread-focused strategy can be effective against NFL defenses. After eleven games in this trial, the outcome seems evident.
Kelly's Evaluation Was Complicated by Injuries, Yet They Didn't Lead to Her Being Saved
The Raiders have faced numerous injuries on their offensive line, leading to backups playing significant minutes. Some fans contended that a fair assessment of Kelly was unfeasible given the weakened team. Conversely, others highlighted the involvement of Carroll's son as the offensive line coach, raising doubts about whether the blame was being assigned to the correct individual.
Carroll ended the debate Sunday.
Owner Mark Davis's decision to permit Kelly's dismissal, despite $18 million in guaranteed payments still due, indicated his ongoing dedication to Carroll past the current season. Such a substantial financial outlay by an organization wouldn't occur without the head coach's position being solidified.
Greg Olsen Faces a Significant 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.
Olsen's current interim role might evolve into a permanent position. Should he succeed in stabilizing the offense and assisting the Raiders in their assessment of Smith, early-round rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, and a struggling offensive line, he could secure the permanent role.
Carroll Suggested a Significant Action
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.
It's uncertain if this is the breakthrough Carroll had predicted. However, the Raiders unequivocally demonstrated that inaction was no longer a viable course.