Raiders’ Pete Carroll Denies Chip Kelly’s Play Call Mistakes Report
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has dismissed recent allegations regarding play-calling mistakes by former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. In a text message to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Carroll stated, “There is no truth to the comments about Chip and any play-calling issues.”
Kelly’s era with the Raiders ended following a disappointing 2-9 record, and his offensive unit averaged only 15 points per game. Reports emerged shortly after his dismissal, claiming that Kelly had struggled with play-calling on multiple occasions. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero mentioned on the “Rich Eisen Show” that there were instances where Kelly failed to tag motions properly, leading to confusion among players. This inconsistency included calling plays not outlined in the game plan.
Reasons Behind Kelly’s Dismissal
While reports of play-calling errors circulated, Carroll emphasized that the primary factor for Kelly’s firing was the lack of offensive production. Discord between Carroll and Kelly regarding game planning further exacerbated the situation. Carroll said, “We worked for a long time trying to come together and communicating so it fits the style of play that we want to play with. And we didn’t quite get it.”
Transitioning to New Leadership
In the wake of Kelly’s departure, Greg Olson has been appointed as the interim offensive coordinator. Olson, previously the quarterbacks coach, is set to take on the role for the third time with the team when the Raiders face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
During an interview, Olson noted that the focus will be on improving efficiency rather than implementing major changes. “At this point, there’s not a lot that you would change in terms of how we’re calling things, terminology-wise,” he explained. Olson acknowledged the need for adjustments to enhance the offense’s performance as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Upcoming Game Details
- Matchup: Raiders at Chargers
- Date: Sunday
- Time: 1:25 p.m. PST
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Broadcast: CBS
- Radio: KRLV-AM (920), KOMP-FM (92.3), KXNT-AM (840)
- Betting Line: Chargers favored by 10 points; total 41
Carroll expressed his hope that the adjustment in offensive leadership will yield significant improvement in team performance. He emphasized the importance of better protection for quarterback Geno Smith and executing plays with urgency and clarity. “I’d love to see us be really clean with what we’re doing,” Carroll stated, reflecting his high expectations for the remainder of the season.
