The Las Vegas Raiders filled their final coaching vacancy for the 2025 NFL season. Head coach Pete Carroll brought in Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator after Kelly’s championship-winning season at Ohio State.
Chip Kelly’s coaching record with Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers shows mixed success
Kelly coached the Philadelphia Eagles for three seasons and the San Francisco 49ers for one. His overall NFL record stands at 28-35, with a brief playoff appearance.
Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015)
- Regular season: 26-21
- Playoffs: 0-1
Kelly made an immediate impact in 2013, going 10-6 and earning a playoff spot. His offense ranked in the top five in scoring during his first two seasons. However, the team slumped to 6-9 in 2015, leading to his dismissal. Doug Pederson replaced him and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory two years later.
San Francisco 49ers (2016)
- Regular season: 2-14
- Playoffs: 0-0
Kelly’s tenure with the 49ers was a disaster. Despite winning their season opener, the 49ers lost 12 straight games, prompting the team to fire both Kelly and GM Trent Baalke.
Raiders offense ranked among the league’s worst in 2024
Last season, the Raiders ranked 29th in total offense (303.2 yards per game) and dead last in rushing (79.8 yards per game). Carroll hired Kelly to overhaul the offense and increase production.
The Raiders face an uphill battle in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix all led their teams to the playoffs. Mahomes is seeking a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
Raiders lost key offensive players like Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams
Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers, and Davante Adams was traded to the New York Jets midseason. Their departures left the Raiders with glaring weaknesses. However, there are reasons for optimism.
- Brock Bowers: Historic season for a rookie tight end.
- Jakobi Meyers: First 1,000-yard receiving season.
- Offensive line: Rookies Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze, along with veteran Kolton Miller, showed promise.
Chip Kelly’s offensive success at Oregon earned him NFL opportunities
Kelly’s innovative, fast-paced offense at Oregon made him a top NFL coaching candidate. As head coach from 2009 to 2012, Kelly led the Ducks to a 46-7 record and a national championship game appearance.
Oregon ranked in the top three nationally in offense during Kelly’s final three seasons, consistently surpassing 500 yards per game. His high-tempo system aimed to tire out opposing defenses by limiting player substitutions, a tactic that prompted NCAA rule changes.
Chip Kelly’s offense rankings in the NFL show early promise but inconsistency
Kelly’s first two seasons with the Eagles featured high offensive rankings, particularly in rushing. However, by his final year in San Francisco, the offense fell to near the bottom of the league.
2013 (Eagles):
- Points: 4th
- Passing: 9th
- Rushing: 1st
2014 (Eagles):
- Points: 3rd
- Passing: 6th
- Rushing: 9th
2015 (Eagles):
- Points: 13th
- Passing: 12th
- Rushing: 14th
2016 (49ers):
- Points: 27th
- Passing: 32nd
- Rushing: 4th
Kelly’s UCLA tenure showed gradual improvement after a rough start
Kelly returned to college football in 2018 to coach UCLA. His first three seasons were marred by losing records, raising questions about his job security. However, the Bruins rebounded, going 25-13 over his final three years.
Ohio State thrived under Chip Kelly’s offense during their 2024 title run
After leaving UCLA, Kelly became Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. The Buckeyes dominated the College Football Playoff, scoring 83 points in two rounds before defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the title game. His success there led to his current role with the Raiders.
Can Chip Kelly turn the Raiders offense around in a tough division?
The Raiders’ offense needs a complete overhaul. Kelly’s creativity will be tested against elite competition in the AFC West. His NFL history shows both promise and pitfalls, making this a pivotal chapter in his coaching career.
