With all but one head coaching vacancy filled in the NFL, all eyes are on who will fill the vacant offensive coordinator position across the league.
And sources tell CBS Sports that at the top of several teams’ lists is former NFL head coach and current Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
Kelly is considered a target for the OC position with both the Jaguars and Texans, according to sources. He could also be seen in Tampa Bay, among other potential landing sites.
Kelly, 61, just won a national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes. But he remained interested in the NFL for years, including last year when his name was thrown around the league after his time at UCLA and before heading to Columbus.
He was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles for three seasons and then coached the 49ers for one year before being fired. Kelly has been with UCLA since taking over as coach in 2018.
According to sources, the Jaguars are interested in pairing Kelly with new head coach Liam Cohen. Cohen is considered the head play-calling coach, so it’s unclear how involved Kelly would be in play-calling during the game if it were to happen.
But after the Texans fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after two years on the job, sources pointed to Kelly as the logical successor. He coached DeMeco Ryans in Philadelphia during his playing days, and considering the head coach’s defensive background, he made calls without interfering with offensive plays.
Sources say current Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and Saints offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak are also early candidates for the job.
There are currently 11 offensive coordinator vacancies in the league, including the 49ers, who are expected to name Clay Kubiak as offensive coordinator at some point this offseason. Two OC positions have already been filled: the Patriots (Josh McDaniels) and the Browns (Tommy Reese).
Depending on the outcome of the interview process, he could land an OC gig with the Eagles, Commanders, Packers or Giants. Kellen Moore and Mike Kafka are candidates for the post in New Orleans, Adam Stenavich is interviewing for the offensive coordinator position in Seattle, and Kliff Kingsbury is holding other jobs until the end of the Commanders’ season. It shows that you don’t think about it.
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady did not interview in New Orleans this weekend and informed the team that he intends to remain in Buffalo for the 2025 season.
On Saturday, Tampa Bay completed virtual interviews with Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady and Vikings assistant Grant Wudinsky, and the Bucs requested an interview with Rams assistant Nate Schielhaas. did. Buccaneers passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard and quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis are the leading internal candidates. Previous interviewees like Seattle passing game coordinator Jake Peets and Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher may also be considered, but even if the Bengals give pitcher play-calling duties , reserves the right to block any OC opportunity.
The uncertainty surrounding Todd Bowles’ long-term future in Tampa has some wondering if the Bucs will be able to land a top prospect this cycle. Additionally, it is highly unlikely that Cohen would be able to bring an assistant coach from Tampa to Jacksonville given the outcome of events there. The Buccaneers can’t prevent assistants from interviewing for coordinator roles, but they can prevent lateral moves.
Rams passing game coordinator Nick Keary has garnered a lot of attention over the past few years, and the cycle continues. Kayley turned down the Patriots’ OC job last year, but is considered a top candidate to join Aaron Glenn’s staff with the Jets. He could also attract attention from the Texans.
Detroit lost Ben Johnson to Chicago, but the Lions could replace him with an internal prospect like Scottie Montgomery or Tanner Engstrand. Detroit promoted Kelvin Shepard to defensive coordinator over the weekend.
And there are many questions about the Raiders and who Pete Carroll will hire as offensive coordinator. Early names emerging from Las Vegas include Titans QB coach (and former Raiders interim OC) Bo Hardigley and Broncos senior personnel executive David Shaw, according to sources. Shaw, a former Stanford head coach, has had three head coaching interviews over the past two seasons and is interviewing for the Bears’ offensive coordinator position.
