The Las Vegas Raiders are set to hire former Chicago Bear offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy as their new OC. The Raiders have found their man again, Getsy was recently fired from the Bears last month. All the buzz about Kliff Kingsbury leaving Las Vegas without a deal could finally rest. Kingsbury is now reportedly in talks with the Washington Commanders and it’s likely he will be their top offensive coach.
The Raiders have gone through at least five candidates during the interview process. Other candidates they interviewed are UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, former Cleveland Browns offensive coach Alex Van Pelt and Pittsburgh Steelers receivers coach Mike Sullivan. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce wanted someone who’s able not only to put up points but is a great teacher to their team. It looks like he has trust in Getsy to get the job done to do so.
In 2022, Getsy’s offensive unit with the Bears ranked last in passing offense with 130.5 yards per game. It only slightly improved last season, but he now gets to re-write his story in Las Vegas. Getsy might not look like the best coordinator on paper, but he gets the chance to work behind quarterback, Aidan O’Connell. However, the Raiders have been mentioned before as a possible trade destination for Bears quarterback, Justin Fields who could reunite with Getsy.
Fields was removed after dealing with a finger injury, but he excelled when he returned. Chicago still finished 4-3 to cap off the season.
Now this: Raiders are expected to hire former Bears’ offensive coordinator Luke Getsy as their offensive coordinator, as @AlbertBreer and @JFowlerESPN reported.https://t.co/9ymGK9o3tk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 4, 2024
Las Vegas Raiders To Hire Luke Getsy as Offensive Coordinator
A Reunion May Be Inbound
Justin Fields still finished the season with the Bears by completing 127-of-208 passes for 1,361 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite the rough showing from Getsy’s offense, he still showed signs of life at the end. Injuries might be the reason why Getsy’s offense underperformed, but he gets to work with second-year O’Connell for the Raiders. However, Getsy is very familiar with the Raiders’ top receiver Davante Adams.
Getsy was with the Green Bay Packers when Adams was drafted in 2014. He was upgraded to become the receivers coach in 2016 and was the passing game coordinator in Adams’ final two seasons in Wisconsin. Getsy found success in Green Bay’s system, owning the ninth-best average for passing yards as Adams’ receiver coach. He could look to replicate that under Pierce’s watch as head coach in Las Vegas.
Pierce and the new Raiders general manager, Tom Telesco want Las Vegas to focus on improving the run game. This is where Getsy’s Chicago offense excelled, it finished with the top rushing unit in 2022 and second last season. Getsy has two running backs to work with in Las Vegas; Josh Jacobs and Ameer Abdullah. The Raiders could look into drafting a running or snagging Saquon Barkley pending free agency.
Whatever the case may be, the Raiders and Pierce appear to be on the same page with Getsy.
What’s Next for the Raiders?
It looks like they have found their man barring any circumstances of Getsy backing away from contract negotiations like Kingsbury did. While they weigh out the options, the Raiders have some decisions to make about Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s likely the Raiders move on from him, but now the question is if they will stick with O’Connell. He showed his skillset to be a reliable backup but it’ll be interesting to see if they stick with him as the starter.
Las Vegas could deal with the Garoppolo situation with a trade between their No. 13 pick in the first round and Justin Fields. There was frustration with the Bears’ offense, so a new start is imminent.
