Chip Kelly faces major challenges as OC for Raiders

Chip Kelly's addition to the Las Vegas Raiders' staff as offensive coordinator came as a surprise. 

Darrell Bevell was linked to the team's OC opening because of his history with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll. Bevell, now with the Miami Dolphins, was the OC on Carroll's staff with the Seattle Seahawks from 2011 to 2017.

Kelly, meanwhile, was linked to the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars OC jobs, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.

But in a surprising move, the Raiders landed Kelly, the 61-year-old former head coach of the Oregon Ducks, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. The team made the news official Tuesday.

Kelly is fresh off helping the Ohio State Buckeyes win the college football national championship. The Buckeyes, with Kelly as their offensive coordinator, were 14th among FBS teams in scoring at 35.7 points per game.

Can Kelly come anywhere close to that level of success as the Raiders' OC?

Last season, the Raiders were stuck in the mud offensively under Luke Getsy, who was fired in November. Las Vegas finished the season averaging 18.2 points (29th in the NFL).

Among the big questions facing Carroll and Kelly: Who will be the starting quarterback for the 2025 season?

The Raiders have 2023 fourth-round draft pick Aidan O'Connell, but he is no sure thing to be named the No. 1 guy. Gardner Minshew, who also is on the roster, has one more year on his contract.  It is expected the Raiders will look to NFL free agency and potentially again to the draft to find their starter.

And after two failed opportunities as an NFL head coach, how will Kelly fare this time around in pro football? Perhaps as the OC, less pressure will free Kelly to show off his innovative ways.