Las Vegas made a bold move, hiring former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to be a part of the Raiders coaching staff as their offensive coordinator. Will this gamble pay off for Las Vegas, or will it end in disaster?
Will Chip Kelly Turn Raiders Offense Around?
The Raiders’ offense in 2024 was far from impressive. They ranked 29th in points per game, managing just 18.2 points per contest. That didn’t lead to many wins and they finished with a record of (4-13). Their rushing attack was even worse, finishing dead last in the league with an abysmal 79.8 rushing yards per game.
The Raiders through the air fared pretty well. Las Vegas averaged 242.2 passing yards per game, ranking ninth in the NFL. A big reason for that success was rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
The Georgia product had a record-setting season, hauling in 112 receptions—the most by a rookie—while also setting the rookie tight end record with 1,194 receiving yards. He is the guy to build around for the Raiders
Chip Kelly is now commanding their offense.
Known for his fast-paced, up-tempo offensive philosophy, Kelly could bring much-needed energy to the Raiders coaching staff and their team. At Ohio State, he helped maximize the talents of Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, turning the Buckeyes’ offense into a scoring machine. Under Kelly, Ohio State put up 35.7 points per game, tying for 14th in the nation with Tennessee and Memphis. If he can replicate that success as part of the Raiders coaching staff, their offense could see a major turnaround.
The Raiders Desperately Need A Quarterback
Las Vegas has the chance to add a franchise quarterback to the mix. LA holds the number six pick in the upcoming NFL draft. This gives them a great chance to grab Sheduer Sanders or Cam Ward if they aren’t taken yet. There is a chance that Tennessee could trade down to get more picks and build for the future. This would make sense for them since they have tons of other issues besides QB. For now, the Titans could get a quarterback from free agency, like Russell Wilson, to fill that hole.
The Browns are in the number two spot. They could potentially be looking to upgrade their defensive line. All-Pro Myles Garrett needs someone to balance him out on the opposite end. If both teams decide to go away from picking a QB, the Raiders coaching staff could get just the guy they need to lead their team It is likely, though, that the Raiders will have to settle for Jaxson Dart or someone similar to him.
Raiders Can Improve Drastically With New Coaches
Las Vegas certainly needs to improve offensively, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will help with that. On the defensive side, head coach Pete Carroll comes into play. He is a defensive-minded head coach. That was seen when he coached the Seahawks and their legendary “Legion of Boom” defense, starring Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, among others. This Raiders coaching staff will certainly help them establish an identity. They should also have a pretty good QB to lead their team as well.
End Of My Raiders Rant
Fans of the black and silver have seen some major upgrades to the Raiders coaching staff this offseason. Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll came out of retirement to lead the Raiders coaching staff. The addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator should give their offense some life as well. There will certainly be a lot of eyes on this Raiders team next season. If they can add a QB like Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders to their offense, the sky is the limit for them. This is an exciting time to be a fan of the Raiders.
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