Reeling Raiders Fire OC Mick Kelly Midseason

In a surprising midseason shakeup, the Las Vegas Raiders have dismissed offensive coordinator Mick Kelly just nine games into his tenure. The decision follows another dismal offensive performance in a 16-12 loss to the Miami Dolphins, dropping the Raiders to 3-6. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce confirmed the move Monday, signaling a desperate bid to salvage the season.

Kelly’s Short-Lived Tenure Ends in Failure

Hired in February 2023 as part of Josh McDaniels’ staff, Kelly was expected to bring creativity from his time with the New England Patriots. Instead, the Raiders’ offense floundered, ranking:
– 30th in total yards (2,397)
– 29th in points per game (15.8)
– Last in third-down efficiency (29.4%)

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo regressed under Kelly, throwing a league-high nine interceptions before being benched for rookie Aidan O’Connell. Pierce hinted at changes postgame, stating, “We have to be better. Whatever that takes.”

Why the Raiders Made the Move Now

With playoff hopes fading, Pierce and owner Mark Davis opted for an aggressive change. Davis has shown little patience—firing McDaniels after 20 games—and Kelly’s offense provided no signs of improvement.

The timing suggests two possibilities:
1. A last-ditch effort to spark the locker room.
2. An early evaluation of interim staff ahead of 2024.

Who Replaces Kelly?

Bo Hardegree, the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach, is expected to take over as interim OC. His immediate challenges include:
– Fixing a broken offensive line.
– Getting Davante Adams more involved (just 1 catch for 11 yards vs. Dolphins).
– Deciding between Garoppolo and O’Connell long-term.

Adams voiced frustration postgame, saying, “I don’t know what to say. We have to figure it out.”

What’s Next for Las Vegas?

The Raiders enter their bye week before a brutal stretch against the Jets, Chiefs, and Vikings. If losses pile up, the focus may shift to developing young players like O’Connell and TE Michael Mayer.

For a franchise that has cycled through coaches and QBs since its 2021 playoff run, stability remains elusive. Kelly’s firing is another reminder of the NFL’s win-now pressure.

Final Takeaway

Kelly’s exit underscores the Raiders’ urgency to correct course. Whether Hardegree can ignite the offense is uncertain, but Las Vegas is out of patience.

—Reported by [Your Name], Senior NFL Analyst