Las Vegas is making headlines in the NFL as the Raiders have officially brought in Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator. This news comes after Kelly enjoyed a successful stint at Ohio State, where he played a key role in leading the Buckeyes to a national championship victory over Notre Dame last month.
According to reports, Kelly will earn an average of $6 million per year, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the league. This salary surpasses the previous record held by Baltimore Ravens’ Todd Monken and New York Giants’ Mike Kafka, who both earned around $3 million annually.
Chip Kelly began his coaching career at smaller schools before making a big splash as Oregon’s offensive coordinator in 2007. He quickly moved up to head coach in 2009, leading the Ducks to at least 10 wins every season and reaching the BCS national championship game in 2010.
After transitioning to the NFL in 2013 with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelly’s fast-paced offense initially found success, even reaching the playoffs in his first year. However, his tenure came to an end in 2015 following a disappointing season. He then joined the San Francisco 49ers for a challenging 2016 season that resulted in just two wins.
After these stints in the NFL, Kelly returned to college football, becoming UCLA’s head coach in 2018. He faced early struggles but managed to lead the Bruins to three straight seasons with eight or more wins, paving the way for his appointment at Ohio State.
In his 2024 season with Ohio State, Kelly’s offense was explosive, averaging an impressive 37.2 points per game. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard put up staggering numbers with over 4,000 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, while the team showcased their dominance in the College Football Playoff.
Now with the Raiders, Chip Kelly is joining a coaching staff that also includes seasoned veteran Pete Carroll, who is returning to the NFL after a brief hiatus. The Raiders hope this experienced group can turn the team’s fortunes around and bring them back to playoff contention. As the season approaches, fans and players alike are eager to see how Kelly’s offensive strategies will impact the team’s performance.
