The Las Vegas Raiders fired Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator on Sunday evening, November 23, 2025, hours after their 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The move came as the Raiders sank to a league-worst 2-9 record, with their offense ranking dead last in total yards, points per game, and third-down efficiency. In that single game, they surrendered 10 sacks — the most in franchise history since moving to Las Vegas in 2020. Pete Carroll, the 74-year-old head coach in his first season with the team, personally delivered the news to Kelly, saying: "I had a conversation with Chip Kelly this evening and informed him of his termination as the Raiders' offensive coordinator. I want to express my gratitude to Chip for his contributions and wish him success in his future endeavors."
One of the Highest-Paid Coordinators, One of the Shortest Tenures
Chip Kelly was reportedly the highest-paid offensive coordinator in NFL history, with an annual salary exceeding all others in the league — though the exact figure remains undisclosed. Yet his tenure lasted just 11 games, making it the shortest by any Raiders offensive coordinator since the team’s relocation to Las Vegas. That’s less than half the length of a typical coordinator’s first season. The timing speaks volumes: Kelly was hired in January 2025 to revitalize a unit that ranked 28th in scoring the previous year. Instead, things got worse. The offense managed just 14.1 points per game under his watch, and the team’s passing attack ranked 32nd in completion percentage and 31st in yards per attempt.
His departure follows the firing of special teams coordinator Tom McMahon just six days earlier, after a loss to the Denver Broncos. It’s the second consecutive year the Raiders have axed an offensive coordinator midseason — Luke Getsy was let go on November 4, 2024, when the team sat at 2-7 under then-head coach Antonio Pierce. The pattern is clear: instability isn’t an accident. It’s policy.
A Puzzling Farewell: Kelly’s Statement to FOX Sports
Within hours of his firing, Kelly spoke with FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer. His statement, brief and oddly emotional, has since been dissected by analysts nationwide:
"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."
Why highlight Geno Smith? The 34-year-old quarterback, under contract through 2026, has been erratic this season — 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a 77.4 passer rating. Yet Kelly didn’t blame him. He didn’t blame the offensive line. He didn’t blame the scheme. He just said, "We gotta win." And then he thanked the players. It was a statement that felt more like a eulogy than an exit interview. Some wondered if it was a subtle dig at management. Others thought it was simply the words of a man who knew he’d been set up to fail.
Locker Room Tensions and Carroll’s Leadership Under Fire
An anonymous YouTube video analysis, posted on November 24, 2025, claimed Kelly "was not liked in that locker room" and "not well respected," citing unnamed sources. Though unverified, the sentiment echoes across fan forums and local radio call-ins. Former players who’ve worked with Kelly at Oregon and in the NFL recall his intense, fast-paced style — brilliant for development, brutal for morale if players don’t buy in.
Meanwhile, Pete Carroll’s age has become a talking point. At 74, he’s the oldest head coach in the league by nearly a decade. The YouTube commentator (timestamp 1212) put it bluntly: "You’ve got to hire two guys when you hire a 74-year-old."
Carroll has never run an NFL offense. His reputation is built on defense and culture — the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom, USC’s powerhouse teams. But the Raiders’ offense has collapsed under his watch. With no offensive coordinator on staff, the team now turns to interim play-calling — likely led by quarterbacks coach or assistant head coach. Patrick Graham, a defensive mind with ties to Carroll from Seattle, is reportedly being considered for a coordinator role, but not on offense. That’s a red flag.
A Franchise in Freefall
The Raiders have cycled through seven head coaches since 2011. Mark Davis, the team’s controlling owner, has become known for impulsive hires and quick dismissals. Josh McDaniels lasted two seasons before being fired in 2023. Antonio Pierce lasted less than one. Now, Carroll is barely through his first year. The pattern isn’t just coaching turnover — it’s organizational chaos.
And it’s costing the team more than wins. Attendance at Allegiant Stadium has dropped 18% since 2023. Merchandise sales are down. The fanbase is divided — some blame the players, others blame Davis, and many just feel hopeless. The offense isn’t broken because of one coordinator. It’s broken because the system has been broken for over a decade.
What’s Next for the Raiders?
With four games left in the 2025 season, the Raiders are playing for pride — and draft position. Their next offensive coordinator will inherit a mess: a fading Geno Smith, a patchwork offensive line, and a roster lacking elite playmakers. The team holds the 2026 first-round pick, acquired from the New York Jets in the 2025 trade for wide receiver Davante Adams. That pick could be their best hope.
Carroll has said he’ll make "a full review of the entire staff" after the season. That includes the defensive coordinator, the front office, and possibly even his own future. If the Raiders lose their final four games, they’ll finish 2-15 — the worst record in franchise history. And if that happens, the questions won’t stop at the coordinator’s office. They’ll echo through the boardroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Chip Kelly fired despite being the highest-paid offensive coordinator?
Kelly was fired because the Raiders’ offense ranked last in the NFL in nearly every key metric under his watch — including points, yards, and third-down efficiency. Despite his salary, results mattered more than contracts. His 11-game tenure was the shortest for a Raiders offensive coordinator since moving to Las Vegas, and the team’s offensive collapse — including a franchise-record 10 sacks in one game — left management with no choice.
How does Geno Smith fit into this situation?
Geno Smith, 34, remains under contract through 2026, but his performance this season (11 TDs, 14 INTs, 77.4 rating) has been inconsistent. Kelly publicly praised him, possibly signaling he didn’t blame the QB for the offense’s struggles. However, some analysts suggest the Raiders may explore trading Smith or restructuring his deal, especially if they draft a new quarterback in 2026. His future is now tied to the team’s long-term rebuild.
Why is Pete Carroll’s age a concern for the Raiders?
At 74, Carroll is the oldest head coach in NFL history. While he’s proven in culture-building and defense, he has no experience calling offensive plays or managing a modern NFL offense. His lack of offensive expertise, combined with rapid coordinator turnover, suggests the Raiders may be missing a critical leadership layer. Critics argue that hiring a coach his age without a strong, long-term offensive architect is a gamble — and so far, it’s backfiring.
Is this the first time the Raiders fired coordinators mid-season?
No. The Raiders fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy on November 4, 2024, when they were 2-7. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was fired on November 17, 2025, just six days before Kelly. This marks the second consecutive year and the second coordinator dismissal in one month — a sign of deep instability. Since 2011, the Raiders have had seven head coaches and dozens of coordinator changes, reflecting a pattern of reactive, not strategic, decision-making.
What does this mean for the Raiders’ future?
The Raiders are likely headed for a top-three draft pick in 2026, giving them a chance to select a franchise quarterback. But without a coherent long-term plan — and with ownership’s history of impulsive moves — even a high pick may not fix the culture. The team needs a stable front office, a clear offensive philosophy, and a head coach who can lead for more than a season. So far, they’ve had none of those.
Who might replace Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator?
Patrick Graham, a defensive assistant with ties to Pete Carroll from Seattle, is being considered — but for a defensive role, not offense. The Raiders currently have no clear offensive candidate on staff. Interim play-calling will likely fall to quarterbacks coach or offensive line coach. The team may turn to the coaching market in January, with names like Mike McDaniel or Kellen Moore rumored — but only if ownership commits to stability, not another quick fix.
