UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is eyeing an NFL return for an offensive coordinator job, after spending six seasons with the Bruins. Kelly interviewed twice with the Las Vegas Raiders for their vacant offensive coordinator job, but Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce ultimately chose Kliff Kingsbury. The Chip Kelly NFL return could still happen, he has an interest in joining the Commanders and newly-appointed head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn has a lot of options in the cards and that could just be Kelly.
The Bruins’ coach was in the NFL serving as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach from 2013-2015 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. Kelly finished his NFL coaching tenure with an overall record of 28-35. He got his first crack at the NFL after having huge success as Oregon’s head coach. Kelly served as their coach for four years and led the team to 46-7. Including the team’s first Rose Bowl since 1995.
After a bumpy road in the NFL, he went back to the college level to coach for the Bruins. It was still a rocky road, but he ultimately found success in 2022. Kelly helped the Bruins to their first 5-0 start since 2013 and he got a contract extension up running through 2027. This hasn’t stopped Kelly from making the push for an NFL return.
In 2024, the Chip Kelly NFL return could indeed be the thing that happens. The Washington Commanders are reportedly eyeing Chip Kelly for an NFL return as offensive coordinator.
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly is a potential candidate for #Commanders OC under new head coach Dan Quinn, per sources. Kelly, a two-time NFL head coach, is believed to have interest in returning to the league and Washington will consider talking with him.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 2, 2024
Chip Kelly’s NFL return: it could happen very soon
He Could Join Forces With Quinn in Washington
Kelly landing with defensive-minded Dan Quinn could make sense for this pairing to happen if Washington chooses him. However, Kelly has struggled to find consistency during his tenure at UCLA. He finally found success in 2022 and helped the Bruins finish with an 8-5 record in 2023. Kelly could still be ready for an NFL return, though as Washington is patient in picking the right candidate.
The hopes for Washington and Quinn are bouncing back from a 4-13 finish to the 2023 season. With the No. 2 pick, Washington has the opportunity to draft one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class. It could look like either J.J. McCarthy or Caleb Williams that are likely landing with the Commanders. So, Kelly coming out of college with either of them could make sense for the job in Washington.
The Commanders are indeed keeping the door open as they want the right staff to rebuild the offense and possibly construct Williams or McCarthy into a franchise QB. Whoever Washington picks, they still need a reliable offensive coordinator and would they go get someone like Kelly from college? That is in the cards for the Commanders. If hired, Kelly will have an interesting time with plenty of chances to rebuild a team from the ground up.
Anything Is at Stake
Quinn likely named Chip Kelly as one of the potential candidates to fill the offensive coordinator vacancy in one of his interviews with teams. He has the chance to bring Kelly along to jump ship again from college to the league again. However, anything is at stake as the Chip Kelly NFL return is still a possibility. The fact that Quinn brought Kelly’s name up when meeting with the Commanders, gives him a real chance.
The thing is, this is the NFL. Anything can happen and after Kelly was off the NFL radar for years, he can come back as a coordinator for any team that has an opening.
