The Raiders’ offensive woes took a dramatic turn, culminating in Chip Kelly’s swift departure as offensive coordinator. But what exactly went wrong, and what does this mean for the team’s future?
Kelly’s tenure with the Raiders lasted a mere 11 games, a period marked by disappointing offensive performance. The team consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in both total yards and points per game. Following his firing, reports surfaced detailing significant issues with Kelly’s play-calling.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared concerning accounts of Kelly’s in-game errors on The Rich Eisen Show. He described instances where Kelly would miss crucial play call adjustments, such as motion tags, leading to confusion on the field. Imagine the quarterback, Geno Smith, at the line of scrimmage, realizing something’s amiss, and the play is already set! Pelissero also mentioned that Kelly, on several occasions, called plays that were either not in the game plan or not even practiced. These errors created significant challenges for the team.
These reports align with what Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported this week. Russini noted that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady initially supported Kelly, but as the season progressed, Brady expressed disappointment in the team’s performance, extending beyond just the offense.
What was supposed to be a fresh start for the Raiders, with new coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, has instead led to a season of struggles. Currently, the Raiders are 2-9 and at the bottom of the AFC West.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Did Kelly’s mistakes stem from a lack of preparation, or was there a deeper problem within the team’s structure? And this is the part most people miss… How will these issues impact the Raiders’ future, especially with key figures like Tom Brady involved?
What are your thoughts? Do you think the Raiders made the right decision firing Kelly? Share your opinions in the comments below!