Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is leaving Columbus after one season.
He’s just not headed to the Houston Texans.
Kelly, who guided the Buckeyes to their first national title victory since 2014 and rumored candidate for Houston’s offensive coordinator position, is expected to be named the Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll.
Back to the NFL: Former Eagles HC Chip Kelly is being hired as the Raiders offensive coordinator, per me and @PeteThamel.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2025
Kelly, who previously coached Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans during his time in Philadelphia, previously interviewed for the Raiders offensive coordinator position last year under Antonio Pierce, though the job ultimately went to Luke Gesty.
After the hiring didn’t go through, Kelly, 61, reunited with former protege Ryan Day as Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator following his resignation at UCLA.
Kelly seven seasons in college football between UCLA and Ohio State. Before being hired by the Eagles in 2013, he served as Oregon’s head coach for four seasons, guiding the Ducks to a national title appearance in 2010 against Auburn.
The @Raiders told candidates during their search they were making a serious commitment with an infusion of cash from the new owners. Here it is—Chip Kelly was lured to Vegas with a deal averaging $6 million per year, per sources.
Kelly is now the NFL’s highest-paid coordinator.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 3, 2025
Kelly last coached in the NFL in 2016, when he was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for one season. Before that, he spent three seasons with the Eagles, guiding them to a playoff appearance in 2013.
In Las Vegas, Kelly will have a chance to work with first-team All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Jakobi Meyers, who just recorded his first career 1,000-yard season with the Raiders.
The Raiders also own the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft in April. The also added an extra third-round draft pick from the Davante Adams trade to the New York Jets and more than $108 million in cap space.
While Kelly’s name was linked to the position in a CBS Sports report last week, it’s unclear if he offically interviewed for the postion or any other opening besides Las Vegas.
Internal candidates include quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and senior offensive assistant Bill Lazor.
External candidates include Syracuse offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, and Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Nick Caley, Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and Washington Commanders passing-game coordinator Brian Johnson.
The Texans are expected to make a hire sometime next week before the Super Bowl.