Chip Kelly is returning to the NFL.
The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring the Ohio State offensive coordinator in the same role, sources told Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel of ESPN.
Las Vegas is making Kelly the NFL’s highest-paid coordinator with a deal averaging $6 million per year, sources told Albert Breer of TheMMQB. The Raiders – who welcomed legendary quarterback Tom Brady and businessman Tom Wagner as new minority owners last year – reportedly told OC candidates that they’re making a serious commitment with an infusion of cash from the new ownership group.
Kelly spent just one season as the Buckeyes’ play-caller, helping to build a dominant offense that won the national title over Notre Dame on Jan. 20. The 61-year-old joined Ohio State after serving as UCLA’s head coach from 2018-2023.
Kelly returns to the NFL after previous head coaching stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15) and San Francisco 49ers (2016). He went 28-35 overall, including two 10-win campaigns with the Eagles. However, he went 6-9 and missed the playoffs in 2015 before being fired. The 49ers posted a 2-14 record under Kelly’s watch.
He originally gained national recognition after four excellent seasons as Oregon’s sideline boss from 2009-2012.
Kelly is the second coordinator to leave Ohio State after the school’s national championship under head coach Ryan Day. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles recently left for Penn State in the same role and became the highest-paid coordinator in college football.
The Raiders have been putting together their new-look coaching staff after hiring Pete Carroll as head coach to replace Antonio Pierce. Las Vegas recently agreed to re-sign defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and is also keeping special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.
The Raiders’ offense struggled in 2024, ranking only 29th in points and 27th in total yards while starting three different quarterbacks. The QB position remains the team’s biggest question ahead of the 2025 offseason.
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