The Las Vegas Raiders pulled the plug on Chip Kelly — the highest-paid offensive coordinator in NFL history — just 11 games into his tenure, following a 24-10 drubbing by the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2025. The 2-9 record isn’t just bad; it’s franchise-altering. The Raiders haven’t started this poorly since 2006. And the offense? It’s not broken. It’s vanished.
Why Kelly’s Firing Wasn’t a Surprise — It Was Inevitable
Kelly, 61, arrived in Las Vegas with a reputation as a offensive genius. He’d just helped Ohio State University win the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2024. His $6 million annual salary made him the most expensive coordinator ever. But numbers don’t lie: the Raiders ranked 31st in yards per game (269.0) and 32nd in points per game (15.5). Four of their last five losses came by double digits, with the offense failing to crack 16 points in each. Quarterback Geno Smith, 34, was sacked 41 times — second-most in the league. The line wasn’t just struggling. It was collapsing.The Offensive Line That Never Was
Here’s the twist: the Raiders didn’t just lose games. They lost their foundation. Starting left tackle Kolton Miller, a seven-year veteran and 2022 Pro Bowler, went down with a high ankle sprain and hairline fracture on September 30. Right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, a 2024 second-round pick, followed in early November. All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, their most dynamic weapon, missed three games early after a Week 1 knee injury. And the replacements? Rookie linemen Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant barely saw the field. “The two best offensive linemen”, Sports Illustrated wrote, “ruined the entire Raiders offense for the entire season.” That’s not hyperbole. It’s arithmetic.Even when Smith had time, the playmakers weren’t there. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, the 27th overall pick, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton combined for 18 receptions. The offense didn’t need more schemes. It needed bodies — and it didn’t have them.
Carroll’s Dilemma: Loyalty vs. Reality
Head coach Pete Carroll, 73, had publicly stood by Kelly as recently as November 13, saying, “We’re always working to continue to grow together.” But loyalty has a shelf life — especially when your team is 2-9 and your quarterback is getting knocked around like a punching bag. Carroll didn’t just fire Kelly. He admitted the system failed. And he did it fast. No waiting for the bye week. No “let’s see what happens next.” The loss to Cleveland was the final whistle.It’s worth noting: this was the second coaching change this season. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was let go on November 7 after a 10-7 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Raiders aren’t just struggling. They’re in full rebuild mode — and they’re doing it by fire.
What Happens Now? The Interim Era Begins
No one knows who’ll call plays for the final five games. The Raiders are expected to name an interim coordinator by Tuesday, November 26. Options? Offensive line coach Derek Dooley, who has NFL experience, or quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian, who’s been on staff since 2023 and once ran Texas’ explosive offense. But here’s the reality: no one can fix this offense in five games. The damage is done.The bigger question: Who’s next? Owner Mark Davis, 69, has been quiet — but his silence speaks volumes. With John Spytek, 43, overseeing football operations, the Raiders’ front office now faces a brutal offseason. Do they rebuild the line with top draft picks? Do they trade for a veteran quarterback? Do they even keep Carroll?
The Bigger Picture: A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Raiders’ 2025 season isn’t just about Chip Kelly. It’s about a pattern. Since moving to Las Vegas in 2020, they’ve cycled through five offensive coordinators. Five. That’s not coaching instability — that’s a cultural failure. The team spent $20 million on offensive talent this year alone — and got 81.4 rushing yards per game. They drafted two offensive linemen in the first two rounds and barely used them. The system doesn’t develop talent. It burns it.Meanwhile, the Las Vegas fanbase, once buzzing after the move to Allegiant Stadium, is now silent. Attendance dropped 18% since Week 3. The team’s social media engagement is down 42% year-over-year. This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Chip Kelly paid so much if his offense performed so poorly?
Kelly’s $6 million annual salary reflected his pedigree — he led Oregon to national prominence and helped Ohio State win the 2024 College Football Playoff title. The Raiders believed his system could modernize their offense. But college success doesn’t always translate to the NFL, especially when injuries decimate the line. His pay was based on potential, not results — and the results were catastrophic.
How did injuries specifically cripple the Raiders’ offense?
The loss of Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson removed two of the team’s only reliable blockers. Without them, Geno Smith was sacked 41 times. Brock Bowers’ absence eliminated their most dangerous red-zone target. Rookie linemen and receivers were unprepared for NFL speed. The offense didn’t just lose depth — it lost its structural integrity. No scheme could compensate for that.
Who is likely to take over as interim offensive coordinator?
Derek Dooley, the offensive line coach, is the most likely candidate. He has NFL coordinator experience and knows the roster intimately. Steve Sarkisian, the quarterbacks coach, is another possibility — but the priority now isn’t fancy plays. It’s protection, simplicity, and survival. Dooley’s conservative approach fits the moment.
What does this mean for Geno Smith’s future with the Raiders?
Smith’s contract runs through 2026, but with 41 sacks and a 58.7 completion rate, his value has plummeted. The Raiders may look to trade him this offseason for draft capital, especially if they land a top-10 pick. He’s not the problem — he’s the victim. But in the NFL, victims don’t always get second chances.
Is Pete Carroll’s job in jeopardy?
Not yet. Carroll’s legacy as a winning coach gives him leverage. But if the Raiders finish 3-14 or worse, and the offense remains abysmal, ownership will ask hard questions. His ability to rebuild the roster — especially the offensive line — will define his tenure in Las Vegas. This season isn’t just a failure. It’s a warning.
What’s the long-term solution for the Raiders’ offense?
The answer is simple: rebuild the offensive line first. Draft two first-round tackles next year. Sign a veteran center in free agency. Then, find a coordinator who can simplify the offense around a strong line and a mobile quarterback. No more gimmicks. No more $6 million coordinators. Just fundamentals. The Raiders’ offense needs to be rebuilt from the ground up — and it starts with protecting the quarterback.