The Las Vegas Raiders are facing a challenging and disappointing season, marked by a struggling offense and significant coaching changes. After a narrow 10-7 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Raiders’ record dropped to 2-7, and questions have surfaced regarding the performance of veteran quarterback Geno Smith. The team’s offensive struggles culminated in the firing of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, marking the second coordinator to be let go by the Raiders in just three weeks.
Chip Kelly's dismissal follows the earlier firing of special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, which occurred after the Raiders’ loss to the Broncos on November 6. The Raider’s front office has clearly made it evident that changes are necessary as the team attempts to salvage what remains of the season. The offensive woes have been a particular point of concern, especially given the high-profile moves made in the offseason to bolster that unit.
This offseason, the Raiders placed a strong emphasis on improving their offense. The hiring of Chip Kelly was a headline move; he returned to the NFL with a lucrative contract averaging $6 million per season, making him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the league. Kelly came to Las Vegas after a successful tenure at Ohio State, where he led the Buckeyes to a national championship. His arrival coincided with that of head coach Pete Carroll, who returned from retirement to take on the Raiders’ head coaching job with hopes of rejuvenating the franchise.
The Raiders also made key player acquisitions to complement their new coaching staff. They traded for Geno Smith, a seasoned quarterback from the Seattle Seahawks, and used their first-round draft pick on running back Ashton Jeanty. These moves were intended to jump-start an offense that had struggled in recent years. However, the results have been far from expectations. Despite Smith’s experience and Jeanty’s promise, the offense has failed to consistently produce points or yardage, leaving fans and analysts frustrated.
The breaking point for Chip Kelly came after the Raiders’ 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game in which Geno Smith passed for 285 yards, completing 30 of 44 attempts, and threw one touchdown to Jeanty. Yet, even with these modest statistics, the offense’s inability to score more than 16 points in four of their last five games has been a glaring problem. Each of those games ended in defeat, underscoring the team’s offensive inefficiency.
Statistically, the Raiders’ offense has been among the league’s poorest performers this season. Before the Browns game, they ranked near the bottom in both yards per game and points per game, averaging just 269 yards and 15.5 points. The running game has been particularly underwhelming, with Jeanty and the rushing attack managing only 81.4 yards per game—disappointing for a team that invested a first-round pick in its running back.
The offensive line’s performance has been a significant factor in the team’s struggles. Quarterback Geno Smith has been under relentless pressure all season, having been sacked 31 times before the Browns game. In the game against Cleveland alone, the defensive line recorded 10 sacks, highlighting the ongoing issues with pass protection. Only the Tennessee Titans’ young quarterback, Cam Ward, who is the first overall pick, has been sacked more this season, with 45 times under pressure. This illustrates the severity of the Raiders’ offensive line problems and the impact on their offensive production.
With Chip Kelly’s firing, the Raiders now face uncertainty regarding who will assume offensive play-calling duties for the remainder of the season. The team’s 2-9 record reflects a disappointing start, especially given the high hopes surrounding Pete Carroll’s return to coaching. Carroll’s arrival was seen as a potential turning point for the franchise, but thus far, the season has been mired in setbacks and unmet expectations.
The firing of two coordinators within a few weeks signals a front office that is unwilling to accept mediocrity and is actively seeking solutions to turn the team’s fortunes around. Owner Mark Davis and the Raiders’ leadership are clearly under pressure to make changes that can halt the team’s downward trajectory and salvage the season.
Meanwhile, the performance of Geno Smith has come under scrutiny, with some voices, including sports commentator Colin Cowherd, questioning whether it might be time for the Raiders to bench their veteran quarterback in favor of other options. Smith’s inability to consistently lead the offense to success has been a key storyline throughout the season, and