The Las Vegas Raiders have secured one of the biggest coaching hires of the offseason, bringing in Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator on a blockbuster $6 million per year deal—the highest salary for an OC in the league. But as Kelly himself has revealed, this move didn’t happen by chance. NFL legend and Raiders co-owner Tom Brady played a pivotal role in luring him back to the pros.
How Tom Brady Helped Convince Chip Kelly to Join the Raiders
After leading Ohio State’s offense to a national championship, Kelly had plenty of options. But during an interview on The Audible, he admitted that it wasn’t just the money or opportunity that sealed the deal—it was a vision laid out by Brady.
“Tom Brady, on the ownership side, he kind of represented the ownership during the interview process. It was cool to listen to their vision and their thoughts on what the Raider way is.”
Kelly also revealed that he only seriously considered two teams—both of which had their leadership perfectly aligned from top to bottom. The Raiders, with their stable ownership, general manager, and coaching staff, presented the kind of structured environment he was looking for.
“I talked to two places really that they were aligned from their ownership to their general manager, personnel, and head coach, and everybody was on the same page. And I was dealing from a position of strength because I had a really, really good job with really, really good people.”
Brady, one of the most respected figures in football history, clearly made an impression on Kelly during the hiring process. While Brady’s ownership stake in the Raiders may be small, his influence in key decisions is undeniable.
A Long-Awaited NFL Return for Chip Kelly
Kelly last coached in the NFL in 2016, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a disastrous 2-14 record—their worst season since 2004. Before that, he had a promising yet tumultuous run with the Philadelphia Eagles, where his up-tempo offense initially took the league by storm before fizzling out.
After spending six years at UCLA and a brief but highly successful stint at Ohio State, the 60-year-old is back in the league with renewed energy. And his return comes at a crucial moment for the Raiders, who are looking to revamp their offense after another disappointing season.
Teaming Up with Pete Carroll: A Dream Partnership?
While Brady’s involvement played a major role in Kelly’s decision, another factor stood out—legendary coach Pete Carroll. The Raiders made waves by hiring the 73-year-old Carroll, making him the oldest head coach in NFL history. For Kelly, the opportunity to work with a Super Bowl-winning coach of Carroll’s caliber was too good to pass up.
“I’m really excited to be here with Pete, and I think anybody that tries to look too far down the road is going to get run over.”
As for whether he sees himself taking over for Carroll in the future, Kelly downplayed the idea, making it clear that he’s content just being part of the staff.
“That’s not something I need to do or a box I need to check… I’m going to coach for a long, long time as long as someone will have me, whether that’s as a position coach or as a head coach or as a coordinator.”
How Chip Kelly’s Playcalling Has Evolved Over the Years
Known for his fast-paced, high-tempo offenses at Oregon and Philadelphia, Kelly has adapted his approach over the years. At Ohio State, he took a more balanced approach, embracing the use of huddles and strategic pacing.
“It was drastically different from when I was at Oregon and we were trying to get as many snaps a game in as possible and run guys off the field. We’ve evolved that way, just because I think the game itself has evolved.”
With fewer snaps per game becoming the norm at both the college and NFL levels, Kelly has adjusted his philosophy to keep his offense as effective as possible. This evolution will be critical as he takes charge of the Raiders’ offense, which has struggled with consistency in recent years.
What Chip Kelly’s Arrival Means for the Raiders Offense
Bringing in Kelly signals a major shift in the Raiders’ offensive approach. While the team has talent, particularly with players like Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs (assuming he re-signs), the offense has lacked innovation. Kelly’s reputation as an offensive mastermind suggests that Las Vegas will look significantly different in 2024.
With Tom Brady playing recruiter and Pete Carroll running the show, the Raiders are betting big on experience. If Kelly’s high-powered offense can translate to the NFL once again, Las Vegas might finally have the firepower to compete in the AFC West.
One thing is clear: the Raiders’ new era is here, and Chip Kelly is ready to make his mark—thanks, in part, to a little help from Tom Brady.
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