Chip Kelly is set to make a significant leap in his career as he transitions from Ohio State to the NFL, where he will become the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive coordinator. According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Kelly will earn $6 million annually with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL.
This salary marks a substantial increase from his earnings at Ohio State, where he made $2 million. It’s also nearly identical to the $6.1 million Kelly earned during his final year as UCLA’s head coach in 2023. The lucrative contract shows just how highly sought after Kelly is, with the Raiders offering him a salary three times his previous amount.
As part of the three-year contract Kelly signed with Ohio State last year, he will need to pay a $350,000 buyout for leaving the Buckeyes to take on his NFL role. He becomes the third assistant coach to depart from Ohio State following their national championship season, joining defensive coordinator Jim Knowles (now at Penn State) and offensive line coach Justin Frye (now with the Arizona Cardinals).
During his time at Ohio State, Kelly significantly boosted the team’s offensive performance, with the Buckeyes averaging 35.7 points per game—more than five points higher than the previous year. Under his leadership, quarterback Will Howard set a school record by completing 73% of his passes, guiding Ohio State to a national championship victory.
