Raiders cut Chip Kelly after just 11 games. The expensive offensive coordinator gamble backfires spectacularly as the offense falters.
The Las Vegas Raiders hired 73-year-old head coach Pete Carroll in the offseason. They then traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and gave him a new contract.
On top of that, the Raiders hired Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator, which came after Kelly led the Ohio State Buckeyes offense as OC and won a national title.
On Sunday, the Raiders lost to the lowly Cleveland Browns, 24-10, in Shedeur Sanders' first NFL start.
And, once again, the Las Vegas offense was nowhere to be found. Geno Smith went 30-of-44 for 285 yards and a score, but rookie running back Ashton Jeanty had just 50 yards in 17 carries.
After the game, it was revealed that the Raiders decided to move on from Kelly after just 11 regular-season contests.
"NEWS: The Raiders are firing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, per source. Kelly signed a contract to make him the richest offensive coordinator in football this offseason, but is dismissed after just 11 games," via Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
The Raiders agreed to pay him $6 million to come from Columbus to be the new OC, but it has backfired big time.
The offense is second-to-last in points per game with 16.5, 30th in yards per game and rushing yards per game, and 24th in passing yards per game.
Geno Smith has had problems turning the ball over, which doesn't help, but the offense has not performed well this season.
This was the fifth game this year where the Raiders scored 10 or less points, and they were shutout against the Kansas City Chiefs right before the Week 8 bye.
Now, the Raiders are searching for another OC, and Carroll issued a statement after the decision.
"I spoke with OC Chip Kelly earlier this evening and informed him of his release as offensive coordinator of the Raiders," Carroll said, via NFL.com. "I would like to thank Chip for his service and wish him all the best in the future."
Kelly joins special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, who was let go after the Week 10 game against the Denver Broncos.