Raiders Dismiss Chip Kelly as Offensive Coordinator After Prolonged Slump

The Las Vegas Raiders initiated their first significant shake-up of a disappointing 2025 campaign, parting ways with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The decision arrived nearly three hours after the defeat, signaling the organization’s urgency to redirect a season that has drifted steadily off course.

Kelly’s offense managed just 268 total yards against a Browns defense that controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the afternoon. The performance was emblematic of a recurring problem for Las Vegas — inconsistent execution, minimal rhythm, and limited creativity in key moments.

The move marks the end of a high-profile but ultimately unproductive tenure. Kelly arrived in February as a celebrated hire, fresh off a national championship run at Ohio State and handpicked by head coach Pete Carroll to modernize the Raiders’ attack. Expectations soared as the team reshaped its roster around Kelly’s up-tempo, spread-influenced system.

Yet the production never matched the preseason buzz. Instead, the Raiders saw persistent inefficiency, stalled drives, and growing frustration as the offense struggled to find any sustained identity.

1. High Expectations, Limited Results

Kelly entered Las Vegas widely regarded as a creative offensive mind capable of revitalizing a unit that had grown stagnant in recent seasons. League observers praised the pairing of Kelly with Carroll, and early moves — including the signing of quarterback Geno Smith and drafting of explosive running back Ashton Jeanty — were framed as clear signals of commitment to Kelly’s approach. But the anticipated spark never materialized. Through 11 games, the Raiders produced just 165 total points, ranking 30th in scoring offense and failing to surpass 29 points in any contest. The absence of breakout performances became a defining trend, as the team repeatedly hovered well below expected efficiency metrics. Even more concerning was Las Vegas’ inability to generate big yardage outings. The offense has not eclipsed 400 total yards in a single game, a benchmark achieved routinely by several NFL contenders — and often by Kelly’s collegiate offenses. Whether due to scheme fit, execution issues, or personnel mismatches, the Raiders remained firmly stuck in neutral. In the end, the contrast between Kelly’s reputation and the offense’s weekly output became too stark to overlook, prompting leadership to act before the season spiraled further.

2. Player Fit and Friction

While Carroll publicly defended Geno Smith amid the quarterback’s early struggles — including an NFL-leading 12 interceptions entering Week 11 — the veteran passer posted one of his cleaner outings on Sunday. Smith avoided turnovers and threw for 285 yards and a touchdown, though the performance still wasn’t enough to lift the unit. Much of the attention, however, has centered on Jeanty, the former Boise State standout who entered the league as a Heisman Trophy finalist. The rookie was expected to be a centerpiece of Kelly’s offense, yet the relationship between OC and running back never fully clicked. Sources around the team suggested ongoing disagreements about Jeanty’s usage and positional stance, contributing to inconsistent deployment. These misalignments underscored a broader issue: Kelly struggled to adapt his system to the personnel on hand. While flashes of his college-style tempo appeared, the Raiders rarely found balance, and several players appeared miscast within the scheme. Ultimately, the disconnect between Kelly’s vision and the roster’s strengths became a significant factor in the offense’s stagnation and the coaching change that followed.

3. Protection Problems and the Road Ahead

Among the most glaring issues throughout the season was the offensive line’s inability to provide steady protection. The struggles reached a breaking point against Cleveland, where the unit surrendered a staggering 10 sacks. The breakdowns derailed drives, forced hurried decisions, and highlighted the challenges of implementing an up-tempo system without consistent blocking. The protection problems also hindered the team’s ability to develop the downfield passing elements central to Kelly’s philosophy. Without time to operate, Smith rarely pushed the ball vertically, and the offense grew reliant on short, predictable plays that defenses quickly adjusted to. The next offensive coordinator — whether sourced internally or externally — will inherit multiple priorities. Chief among them will be maximizing Jeanty’s skill set, reassessing protection schemes, and identifying which personnel adjustments are necessary to stabilize the trenches. A recalibrated structure may be required to restore balance and give the Raiders a clearer path forward. In the broader sense, the franchise now faces the challenge of re-establishing continuity after yet another coaching transition. With six games remaining, Las Vegas must navigate both the immediate adjustment and the long-term implications of resetting its offensive identity once again.