Raiders fire offensive coordinator Chip Kelly
After falling to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12 action, the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
The Raiders made the move just 11 games into the first year with Kelly at the helm, calling plays.
“I spoke with Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders,” first-year coach Pete Carroll said in a statement released by the team via ESPN. “I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future.”
Las Vegas has stumbled entirely out of the playoff picture, with much of that coming due to the team’s significant offensive struggles. The Raiders rank last in points per game (15.0), 31st in rushing yards per game (79.5), 28th in red zone efficiency (48.1%), and 30th in total offensive yards per game (268.9).
It also features them failing to crack double-digit points four times, which is the most this season.
Rookie first-round pick running back Ashton Jeanty has struggled to make a consistent impact, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, but does have eight total touchdowns.
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Meanwhile, offseason addition Geno Smith has performed like a shell of himself, throwing 13 interceptions along with ranking 29th in passer rating (82.4) and 32nd in QBR (29.2).
“I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders; bottom line in this league you have to win,” Kelly told NFL reporter Jay Glazer. “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.”
