On Monday, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that they had fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. This decision was made following a frustrating 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. This decision represents the second straight season in which the Raiders have let go of an offensive coordinator during the season. Kelly’s firing comes just 11 games into his first season with the organization. That leaves the Raiders turned to a bleak on-field product with a 2-9 record.
The Raiders, who are currently tied for dead last in the NFL with an astonishingly low 15 ppg. Their challenges stretch far beyond just scoring. As it stands, they are 30th in yards gained per game (268.9) and 31st in rushing yards (79.5). The group has recently dealt with a lack of offensive efficiency as a whole. They finished with a minus-77.8 in offensive expected points added (EPA), last in the entire league.
Las Vegas ranks 28th in red zone efficiency, managing to convert just 48.1% of their opportunities into touchdowns. The numbers tell a story of a significant drop off in production. Quarterback Geno Smith has languished through one of the worst seasons of his career under the hand of Kelly. Smith is 29th in passer rating (82.4). His other advanced metrics have him floundering at the bottom of the league too, with a QBR of 29.2.
Kelly’s arrival with the Raiders’ staff came after a successful three-year run as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. After all, he was the emotional and competitive heartbeat of the team that won last season’s national crown. Fortunes turned with his subsequent tenure with the Oakland Raiders. Looking back on his experiences, Kelly was thankful for the opportunity and said so, but recognized that it’s all about winning while coaching in the league.
“I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders; bottom line in this league you have to win,” – Chip Kelly
Kelly admitted the sobriety of the situation, all while lauding the players he studied alongside. Color us surprised to find he had the highest ranking of all on Geno Smith.
“But hey, we got to win. I get it.” – Chip Kelly
After Kelly’s abrupt departure, Scott Turner has taken over as the interim OC with first-year head coach Antonio Pierce. Turner will now be charged with turning around an offense that has been downright pathetic all season long. After their recent collapse, the direction of the team has come into question.
This season, All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers lost a quarter of the season after missing three games with a knee injury. Without him, he severely hamstrung their overall offensive gameplan and effectiveness. It’s time for the Raiders to turn things around fast as they try to salvage what’s left of a thoroughly underwhelming 2023 campaign.
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