Las Vegas Raiders Fire Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly After Disappointing Season Start

The Las Vegas Raiders have made a significant coaching change, dismissing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after just 11 games into his first season with the organization. The decision came following Sunday's disappointing 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, which dropped the Raiders to a 2-9 record this season.

Immediate Fallout Following Browns Loss

First-year head coach Pete Carroll announced the decision Sunday night, stating in a team-released statement: "I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future." Carroll did not immediately name a replacement coordinator for the struggling offense.

The timing of Kelly's dismissal comes at a critical juncture for the Raiders, who now face significant challenges in salvaging their season. At 2-9, the team finds itself tied for last place in points per game across the NFL, averaging just 15.0 points per contest.

Offensive Struggles Under Kelly's Leadership

Statistical analysis reveals the depth of the Raiders' offensive woes under Kelly's direction. The team ranks 30th in total yards per game (268.9), 31st in rushing per game (79.5 yards), and 30th in offensive EPA (minus-77.8). Perhaps most concerning is the team's red zone efficiency, which sits at 28th in the league at 48.1%.

The Raiders have scored fewer than 10 points in four games this season—the most such performances in the entire NFL. This offensive inefficiency has placed tremendous pressure on the defense and special teams units throughout the season.

Kelly's Response and Future Outlook

In his statement to NFL reporter Jay Glazer, Kelly acknowledged the realities of professional football: "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 got to win. I get it."

This marks the second consecutive year the Raiders have fired an offensive coordinator midseason. Last year, Luke Getsy was dismissed after nine games, with Scott Turner taking over in an interim role under then-coach Antonio Pierce.

The Raiders organization now faces critical decisions about the direction of their offense as they attempt to rebuild momentum in the remaining weeks of the season. With multiple key players battling injuries and offensive production at league-low levels, the coaching staff must find solutions quickly to prevent further deterioration of the team's competitive standing.