Chip Kelly Getting Fired After Abysmal 2-9 Start Has Raiders Fans Relieved

Chip Kelly earned $6 million per year as the OC of the Raiders.

Chip Kelly Getting Fired After Abysmal 2-9 Start Has Raiders Fans Relieved

Chip Kelly (Image via IMAGO)

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The Las Vegas Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly following the Week 12 defeat against the Cleveland Browns. Kelly’s tenure in Vegas lasted a little over ten months.

To say that Kelly was under the scanner would be an understatement. The Raiders fans were ready to see the back of the former Ohio State OC, who won the CFP trophy in January 2025.

With the help of minority owner Tom Brady, the Vegas franchise got its hands on Kelly. According to Spotrac and Front Office Sports, Kelly signed a $6 million per year contract, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL, nearly double that of the next most, Ravens OC Todd Monken.

A win on opening day against the Patriots (currently top of the AFC East) gave fans hope, as it was their first regular-season win since last December. However, the Raiders went on to lose the next four games, averaging only 15 points per matchup.

A win over the struggling Titans followed, but the celebration lasted less than a week as they got shut out 31-0 by the Chiefs in KC. Four more losses brought the total to nine for the year, and the Raiders’ brass decided it was better to part ways with Kelly.

The Browns planted the final nail in the coffin on Sunday, week 12. Kelly was fired not long after.

Chip Kelly broke his silence after the Raiders fired him

The Browns game carried significant weight and consequences. It marked the debut of Shedeur Sanders, whom the Raiders passed on in the 2025 NFL draft to take running back Ashton Jeanty.

Chip Kelly Getting Fired After Abysmal 2-9 Start Has Raiders Fans Relieved
Chip Kelly (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Needless to say, Jeanty has found the jump from Boise State to the NFL challenging. His rush average of 3.6 yards per carry is among the lowest in the league.

Sanders did not enjoy a great start to life in Cleveland either. He sat behind Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel for ten games before getting the nod ahead of the trip to Vegas. Sanders logged 209 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception while the Browns’ pass rush sacked Raiders quarterback Geno Smith 10 times.

The Browns took a 24-10 victory, dropping the Raiders to a 2-9 record. Failing to the very rookie they passed on in the draft proved to be the final straw for Kelly.

FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer spoke with Kelly after he was fired.

I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders. Bottom line in this league, you have to win. I really loved those players. I’m a huge, HUGE Geno Smith fan. That was one of the best parts of this experience for me, working with Geno and those guys every day. But hey, we gotta win. I get it.

Chip Kelly said as per Jay Glazer

The Raiders have yet to announce Kelly’s replacement for the remainder of the season. Carroll could take over as the OC, or they have the option of elevating 16-year veteran offensive assistant Bob Bicknell to play-calling duty.

Chip Kelly’s resume contains previous stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015) and San Francisco 49ers (2016).

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