Introduction
The Las Vegas Raiders have made a major coaching shake-up: offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has been fired after just 11 games in the role. The move signals deep frustration within the organization over the performance of the Raiders’ offense and reflects a high-risk, high-reward hire that clearly did not pay off. In this article, we will explore what happened, why Kelly was dismissed so quickly, what his brief tenure looked like, and how the NFL world — including fans on Twitter — is reacting.
Who Is Chip Kelly?
To understand the gravity of this firing, we need to look back at who Chip Kelly is. Kelly is not a rookie coach — far from it. He has decades of coaching experience in college football and the NFL.
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Kelly previously served as head coach for NFL teams like the Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2015) and the San Francisco 49ers (2016).
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In college, he’s had very successful stints, including his recent role as offensive coordinator at Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2024.
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On February 5, 2025, Kelly expressed his enthusiasm at his introductory press conference with the Raiders, saying he was “fired up” to be back in the NFL and praising head coach Pete Carroll.
Kelly’s return to the NFL seemed promising. He was brought in with serious expectations, and the Raiders reportedly gave him a lucrative deal.
The Hiring: High Hopes, Big Pay
When the Raiders hired Kelly in early 2025, they made a bold statement:
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Big Investment: Reports suggest Kelly was signed at around $6 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the league.
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Strategic Fit: Under the new head coach, Pete Carroll, the Raiders hoped Kelly would revive their offense. Kelly had impressed many with his college work, especially his creative schemes and ability to adapt.
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Ambitious Goals: Las Vegas wanted to compete in a tough AFC West with strong defenses and elite quarterbacks across the division, and Kelly was expected to bring innovation and efficiency.
Given this setup — veteran coach, big paycheck, and high expectations — the Raiders clearly believed Kelly could transform their offensive identity.
What Went Wrong? The Struggles Under Kelly
Despite the initial optimism, Kelly’s tenure turned out to be a disaster. Several factors contributed to his downfall.
1. Offensive Production Was Poor
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The Raiders’ offense under Kelly was abysmal in multiple key metrics: points per game, total yards, rushing yards, offensive EPA, and red-zone efficiency were all very low.
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For instance, after the firing, reports noted that the Raiders were 30th in total yards per game.
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Their red-zone efficiency was also weak, cited around 48.1%, according to ABC7 coverage.
2. Poor Performance in Key Games
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The final straw appears to have been a 24–10 home loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game in which the Raiders failed to mount a credible offensive threat.
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In that game, Geno Smith, the Raiders’ starting quarterback, was under heavy pressure — the Browns sacked him 10 times.
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The team didn’t seem to consistently execute — they scored only one touchdown late in the fourth quarter via a reception by rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, which was more of a consolation score than a game-changer.
3. Regression of Key Players
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Geno Smith, who had shown some resurgence earlier in his career, regressed significantly. According to reports, his turnover rate was unacceptably high — 13 interceptions in 10 games.
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Ashton Jeanty, a rookie running back who had been expected to contribute heavily, struggled to gain consistency, averaging a low yards-per-carry figure, and was not utilized as effectively as hoped.
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The offensive line issues also seemed to persist, contributing to poor protection and lack of momentum.
4. Organizational Instability
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This firing was not isolated. Earlier in the month, the Raiders had already let go of their special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.
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Pete Carroll, in his first season as the Raiders’ head coach, seemed under pressure to make changes — and Kelly’s dismissal underscores a broader shake-up in the coaching staff.
The Firing: How It Happened
Here’s a timeline and breakdown of how Kelly was fired:
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Announcement: After the loss to the Browns, Pete Carroll made a statement:
“I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release … I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future.”
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Media Confirmation: Reports from multiple outlets (NFL.com, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, Yahoo) confirmed the firing shortly thereafter.
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Sources: As per insiders (including ESPN’s Adam Schefter), Kelly’s exit came just 10 or 11 games into his first season with the Raiders.
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No Immediate Replacement Named: Carroll did not immediately name an interim offensive coordinator, suggesting either a search is underway or an internal shuffle is expected.
Reactions: Fans, Media, and Twitter
Media Reactions
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The media broadly saw this firing as inevitable, given the Raiders’ offensive metrics. Analysts pointed out that the heavy investment in Kelly (both in terms of pay and expectations) made this a high-stakes gamble.
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Some outlets questioned the Raiders’ decision-making: Was hiring Kelly, a college coach returning to the NFL, the right move for a franchise desperate for consistent offensive production?
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Others highlighted organizational dysfunction — the firing of another coordinator earlier in the month raised red flags about franchise stability.
Fan and Social Media (Twitter) Buzz
While much of the mainstream media commentary has focused on performance and metrics, fans on social media (especially Twitter and Reddit) have been blistering:
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Many fans saw Kelly’s firing as long overdue, blaming his offensive system, play-calling, and inability to adapt.
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Others, however, pointed fingers at more than just Kelly. Some believe the offensive line, roster construction, and even front-office decisions played a huge role in the offensive failures.
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A recurring theme: the disconnect between Kelly’s vision (largely derived from his college success) and the real NFL roster he inherited.
One Reddit user summed up a common sentiment:
“If we lose … can somebody on our team please lose their job? Particularly whoever’s calling plays for our offense …”
Another added:
“The O-line is the worst I’ve seen … it’s hard for me to blame Kelly alone … but the offensive design is terrible.”
These reactions reflect a broader frustration: not just with Kelly, but with a franchise that seems to be struggling to find its footing under new leadership.
What’s Next for the Raiders?
With Kelly gone, the Raiders now face several key questions:
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Who Will Be the Next OC?
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There’s no immediate interim offensive coordinator named. Carroll and the front office will likely work quickly to find a replacement, but whether that is a veteran coach, an internal promotion, or a younger up-and-comer remains unknown.
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Can the Offense Recover This Season?
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With a 2–9 record after the firing, the Raiders are in a precarious position. Turning around the offense mid-season is difficult, but not impossible — provided the new boss can fix the execution issues.
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Roster Questions:
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Can they maximize Geno Smith’s talent?
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Will Ashton Jeanty get more or better touches?
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Is the offensive line going to be rebuilt or retooled?
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Long-Term Coaching Strategy:
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With Carroll in his first season and already making big staff changes, there may be more shifts ahead. The Raiders will need to prove they can build a coherent coaching philosophy and not merely react to each loss.
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Why the Firing Matters — Beyond Just a Coach Change
This is not just a regular mid-season coach change. The firing of Chip Kelly matters for a few deeper reasons:
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Signal of Accountability: The Raiders are sending a message: failure to deliver results will be met with swift consequences, even for high-paid and high-profile hires.
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Risk of High-Paid Hires: Paying big for a coordinator is a gamble. Kelly’s failure raises questions about whether teams should invest that heavily in assistant coaches.
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Philosophical Mismatch: Kelly’s greatest success was in college. His system, while innovative, may not translate seamlessly to an NFL team lacking the right personnel.
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Front Office Pressure: For Pete Carroll and the Raiders’ front office, this is a moment of truth. Are they building for long-term stability, or merely reacting to short-term failures?
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Did the Raiders actually fire Chip Kelly?
Yes — the Raiders officially fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly following their 24–10 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Q2: Why was Chip Kelly fired?
Kelly was dismissed due to the Raiders’ offensive struggles: low scoring, poor yardage numbers, bad red-zone efficiency, and consistent underperformance in games.
Q3: How long was Kelly with the Raiders?
Kelly lasted 11 games in his role as offensive coordinator before being fired.
Q4: Who made the decision to fire him?
The firing was announced by head coach Pete Carroll, who stated he had informed Kelly of his release and thanked him for his service.
Q5: How was Kelly paid?
Kelly reportedly had a $6 million per year contract, which made him one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the NFL.
Q6: What’s next for the Raiders’ offense?
The Raiders need to name a new offensive coordinator, reorganize their offensive game plan, and potentially address roster issues (quarterback performance, running back touches, offensive line) to salvage the season.
Q7: How are fans reacting on social media?
Many fans believe Kelly was a scapegoat and criticize deeper problems like offensive line quality and roster construction. There’s debate about whether the firing solves anything or is just another reactionary move by the front office.
Q8: Has Kelly expressed anything after being fired?
Yes — Kelly was quoted as saying, “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.”
Conclusion
The firing of Chip Kelly by the Las Vegas Raiders is a dramatic chapter in what has already been a turbulent season. Despite his rich coaching pedigree and a lucrative contract, Kelly could not turn around a struggling offense. His dismissal raises important questions about coaching strategy, accountability, and the very identity of the Raiders under Pete Carroll.
For Raiders fans, this is a moment of frustration and uncertainty — but also a chance for reset. The next offensive coordinator will have a tough job: to make sense of the personnel, structure a functional system, and perhaps most critically, to restore faith in a team that clearly believes in winning but hasn’t shown enough competence on offense.
Whether this move pays off in the long run or becomes just another reactive decision will depend on how the Raiders rebuild from here.
