Chip Kelly’s departure from Ohio State wasn’t an easy decision, as he was in no rush to leave his position as offensive coordinator following the Buckeyes’ national championship season. However, when the opportunity to become the NFL offensive coordinator with the Las Vegas Raiders, reportedly offering a $6 million annual salary, came up, Kelly saw it as an opportunity he couldn’t miss.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel, Kelly shared his thought process behind taking the Raiders’ job. He explained that the decision was made after evaluating a couple of teams where ownership, management, personnel, and coaching were all aligned. He felt fortunate to already have a great position at Ohio State, surrounded by wonderful people, making it essential for the new opportunity to offer something better for him and his wife, Jill.
“I love the NFL because it’s the highest level of competition. It’s football at its finest, and you face the best in coaching and on the field. The challenge of competing to be the world champions is exciting,” Kelly said. His conversation with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and the involvement of Tom Brady, representing the ownership during the interview, further solidified his decision. Kelly was also drawn to the Raiders’ rich history and tradition, noting his friendship with Howie Long, whose son Kyle Kelly coached in college.
Kelly made it clear that he didn’t engage in talks with NFL teams until Ohio State’s season ended because he wanted to fully focus on the national championship run. He emphasized, “I believe you need to finish where you are. The season starts and ends, and you should be with your team until the end.”
Reflecting on his time at Ohio State, Kelly praised the team’s bond and the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, but stressed that it was the players who made the difference. “The brotherhood at Ohio State is real. The players were incredibly connected, and their maturity and focus were key to our success,” Kelly said. “The reason we won was because of those special players. They made my time there unforgettable.”
