The Las Vegas Raiders came into the 2025 season swinging big. After a rough offensive showing in 2024, the front office opened the checkbook in the offseason to overhaul a unit that desperately needed help.
The message was clear: no more excuses. With the investments made, this offense had to produce - and fast.
But instead of a turnaround, things unraveled. After a shaky but survivable Week 1, the Raiders' offense spiraled.
The problems weren’t isolated - they were everywhere. Questionable play-calling.
Inconsistent quarterback play. An offensive line that struggled to hold up.
A run game that never found its rhythm. If the ball wasn’t being thrown to the right spot, it wasn’t going anywhere.
And when it was? There was rarely enough time to make it matter.
By Week 12, after a disheartening loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Raiders made a change. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was fired.
It wasn’t exactly a surprise. Kelly became the scapegoat, even if the issues extended far beyond his play sheet.
Head coach Pete Carroll wasn’t about to pin the blame on his hand-picked quarterback or the offensive line - both of whom, it’s worth noting, are coached by his sons. So Kelly took the fall.
But Kelly, a coaching lifer with a résumé that spans from college football’s biggest stages to the NFL, wasn’t going to stay sidelined for long. Just a few weeks after his exit from Las Vegas, he’s already back in the mix. According to reports, Kelly interviewed for the offensive coordinator position at Georgia Tech.
Now, let’s be clear: Georgia Tech isn’t the punchline some fans are making it out to be. Under head coach Brent Key, the Yellow Jackets have made real progress.
They finished the season 9-3 and are headed to the Pop-Tarts Bowl for a matchup against BYU. That’s a solid year by any standard.
But for a coach who’s called plays in the NFL and once led Oregon to the brink of a national title, it’s a noticeable step down.
Still, context matters. Kelly’s recent track record - from a high-profile stint at UCLA, to a brief but rocky run with the Raiders - hasn’t exactly boosted his stock. And when you consider how things fell apart in Las Vegas, it’s not shocking that he’s looking to recalibrate at the college level.
Interestingly, the reaction from Raider Nation has shifted in the weeks since his departure. While frustration lingers, there’s also a growing sense that maybe Kelly wasn’t the core problem.
Watching the Raiders’ offense under interim play-caller Greg Olson hasn’t exactly inspired confidence that the ship is turning around. And as more reports have trickled out about the dysfunction behind the scenes, Kelly’s share of the blame doesn’t seem quite as heavy.
That said, the expectations were high when he arrived in Vegas - and fair or not, the results didn’t follow. But Kelly’s offensive mind is still respected in football circles, and if he does land the Georgia Tech job, it could be the kind of reset he needs. The Yellow Jackets have talent and momentum, and Kelly’s experience could be a valuable asset as they look to take the next step.
For now, Raider fans are left wondering what could’ve been - and watching closely to see what Kelly does next.