Raiders fire Chip Kelly after offensive collapse vs. Browns
The Las Vegas Raiders made a dramatic midseason shakeup on Sunday night, November 24, 2025, firing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly less than four hours after a 24-10 drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The offense didn’t just struggle—it imploded. Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 10 times, the unit punted eight times, turned the ball over on downs twice, and lost a fumble. Fans didn’t just boo—they booed relentlessly. And by 10:57 PM UTC, Kelly was gone.
Why Now? The Breaking Point
It wasn’t just one bad game. It was the culmination of a season-long offensive freefall. The Raiders entered the Browns game ranked 31st in the NFL in yards per play and 32nd in third-down conversion rate. Kelly’s system, once hailed as revolutionary at Oregon and in Philadelphia, looked stale, predictable, and utterly out of sync with the personnel. Smith, 34, has been under constant pressure all season. Against Cleveland, the offensive line—already thin after injuries—collapsed like a house of cards. Center Will Putnam, 28, exited with what head coach Pete Carroll called a “turned ankle,” but multiple sources suggest he was benched. Alex Kappa, a guard by trade, was shoved into the center spot. That’s not adaptation—that’s desperation.
Carroll, 74, made the call himself. His statement was brief: “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.” No explanation. No fanfare. Just silence after a $6 million-a-year experiment that failed spectacularly. Kelly, the former Oregon Ducks head coach and 2024 Ohio State offensive coordinator who helped the Buckeyes win the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, 2025, at NRG Stadium in Houston, was the highest-paid OC in NFL history when hired in February 2025. He left Columbus for Las Vegas with a promise to unlock Smith’s potential. Instead, he made him a sitting duck.
Locker Room Tensions and the Smith Question
The real story, though, isn’t just Kelly’s firing—it’s what it reveals about the Raiders’ internal chaos. Mitchell Renz of Raiders Report by Chat Sports reported in a November 24 YouTube analysis that Kelly “was not liked in that locker room” and “was not well respected.” Renz had predicted the firing two weeks earlier. Even more telling: Renz said internal conversations had turned to a brutal choice—“We can’t keep Chip Kelly and Geno Smith. We’re probably going to have to keep one.”
That’s not just a coaching decision. It’s a franchise reckoning. Smith’s contract, signed in 2024, carries $18 million in guaranteed money through 2026. But with the Raiders at 2-9 and the offense looking like a 2018 Jets team, questions are swirling about whether Smith can still be the answer. Renz claimed “the message has been sent to very many people inside that organization that there should be some investigating to get out of that Gino Smith contract because by law, conduct detrimental to the team.” That’s not just speculation—it’s the kind of language front offices use when they’re preparing to cut bait.
Carroll’s High-Risk Gambit
Pete Carroll’s hiring last January was already controversial. At 74, he’s the oldest head coach in the NFL. The Raiders haven’t had a stable head coach since Jon Gruden was fired in 2018. They’ve cycled through four since then. Hiring Carroll was supposed to bring stability. Instead, it’s brought volatility. Renz called it “the riskiest hire Mark Davis could do.” Why? “For an organization that has failed to find one head coach, you’ve got to hire two guys.”
Carroll fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon on November 7, 2025. Now, he’s fired his OC. Derius Swinton II, 40, took over special teams after McMahon’s exit. But there’s no clear successor for Kelly. The Raiders’ next game is December 1 against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Who calls the plays? No one knows. The interim tag is hanging over the entire offense.
The Bigger Picture: A Franchise in Crisis
The Raiders’ move to Las Vegas in 2020 was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, it’s become a cautionary tale of mismanagement. Owner Mark Davis has spent more than $1 billion on the stadium and training facility—the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson—but the product on the field keeps getting worse. The roster is a patchwork of aging veterans and unproven rookies. The coaching staff is in shambles. And now, the offense that was supposed to be Kelly’s crown jewel is in ruins.
What’s next? The Raiders could promote from within—perhaps offensive line coach Tom Cable, who’s been with the team since 2022. Or they might go outside, chasing someone like former Eagles OC Kellen Moore. But time is running out. With three games left, the 2025 season is over. The real season starts in January—with a new coordinator, a new plan, and a very big question: Is Geno Smith still their guy?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Chip Kelly fired after just nine months?
Kelly was hired in February 2025 with a $6 million salary to revitalize the Raiders’ offense, but his unit ranked near the bottom of the NFL in yards, third-down efficiency, and sacks allowed. After a 10-sack performance against the Browns on November 24, 2025, and growing locker room discontent, head coach Pete Carroll made the call. Internal reports suggest Kelly lost the trust of players and staff, making his position untenable.
Is Geno Smith’s future with the Raiders in doubt?
Yes. Multiple sources, including analyst Mitchell Renz, report internal discussions about whether to retain Smith or move on. Despite his $18 million guaranteed contract, Smith has been sacked 42 times this season and has shown declining mobility. The Raiders may explore trade options or draft a quarterback in 2026, especially if the offense doesn’t improve under interim leadership.
Who will be the interim offensive coordinator?
As of November 24, 2025, the Raiders have not named a replacement. Offensive line coach Tom Cable, who previously served as OC for the Raiders in 2018, is a likely internal candidate. The team may also pursue external candidates like Kellen Moore or Mike McDaniel, but with only three games left, the priority is stabilizing the unit for 2026.
How does this affect the Raiders’ 2026 draft strategy?
With a 2-9 record, the Raiders hold the 3rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Smith is traded or released, they’ll likely target a franchise quarterback early. Potential names include Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, or even a developmental prospect. The coaching staff overhaul means the new OC will have major input on draft decisions, making this offseason critical.
Has Pete Carroll ever fired a coordinator this quickly?
No. In his 14 seasons with the Seahawks, Carroll never fired a coordinator midseason. His longest-tenured OC, Darrell Bevell, lasted six years. This marks a sharp departure from his usual stability. The decision reflects both frustration with results and a belief that the team’s culture needs a reset—something Kelly couldn’t deliver.
What’s next for Chip Kelly?
Despite the firing, Kelly remains one of the most respected offensive minds in football. He’s likely to be courted by NFL teams or college programs in 2026, especially those seeking a play-caller with a history of high-tempo systems. His 46-7 record at Oregon and 2024 national title with Ohio State ensure he’ll have options—even if his time in Las Vegas ended in disappointment.
