After a rough outing against the Cleveland Browns, the Las Vegas Raiders made a move that had been looming for weeks-head coach Pete Carroll parted ways with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. The writing was on the wall. The Raiders’ offense had gone multiple games without finding the end zone, and when a unit struggles that consistently, change isn’t just expected-it’s necessary.
But the fallout from Kelly’s dismissal quickly turned messy. Conflicting reports emerged about how much control Kelly actually had over the offense.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Kelly occasionally called plays that hadn’t even been installed-an eyebrow-raising claim that suggests a serious disconnect between the playbook and the play caller. On the other hand, Ian Rapoport reported that Carroll himself had installed the offense, and Kelly’s job was simply to call from a predetermined menu.
Two very different stories, and the truth probably lives somewhere in between.
Regardless of where the miscommunication began, the Raiders didn’t waste time moving forward. Greg Olson stepped in as interim offensive coordinator for the game against the Chargers, tasked with steadying an offense that’s looked lost for most of the season. Whether Olson brings clarity or just a new version of the same issues is still up in the air-but at the very least, his debut brought some notable changes.
One of the biggest shifts? The kids finally got to play.
Rookie offensive tackle Caleb Rogers, who had been a healthy scratch for much of the year, saw his first NFL action. It wasn’t a flawless debut, but for a team that’s been hesitant to lean on its young talent, just getting Rogers on the field was a step in the right direction. Wide receivers Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech also got involved, while running back Ashton Jeanty continued to prove he can be a dependable piece in the short passing game.
It’s a clear pivot from earlier in the season, when the Raiders leaned heavily on veterans despite a lack of production. But even with a new voice in Olson calling the shots, the offense still struggled to find its footing. Quarterback play remained inconsistent, and the offensive line once again had trouble holding up-two issues that have haunted this team all year.
Carroll has made it clear he wants to build the offense around the run game, especially after the team used its top draft pick on a running back. But so far, that commitment hasn’t translated into results. The Raiders are averaging just 75 rushing yards per game-a number that speaks volumes about their inability to control the line of scrimmage or establish any kind of offensive identity.
Still, amid the chaos, one player reminded everyone why he was such a prized piece of this offense.
Brock Bowers, coming off arguably the best rookie season ever by a tight end, has dealt with injuries and inconsistency this year. But against the Chargers, he looked every bit like the game-changing weapon the Raiders hoped he’d be. Bowers was a matchup nightmare-creating separation, racking up yards after the catch, and flashing that massive catch radius that made him a star at Georgia.
His one-handed touchdown grab was the kind of play that makes you pause and rewind. It was vintage Bowers-athleticism, body control, and sheer will all rolled into one. In a season that’s offered few highlights for the Raiders, that moment stood out as a reminder of what he can bring when he’s healthy and involved.
If Olson’s first game is any indication, Bowers and the running backs will be central to whatever this offense becomes down the stretch. The Raiders didn’t come away with a win, but they did stick to the philosophy Carroll has been preaching: run the ball, use your tight end, and start building something with the young pieces on this roster.
There’s still a long way to go, and plenty of questions left unanswered. But for the first time in a while, the Raiders’ offense showed signs of life-and maybe, just maybe, the beginning of a new direction.