Las Vegas Raiders fans, there’s a buzz coming out of voluntary OTAs this week, and it’s got Geno Smith’s name all over it. The veteran quarterback, acquired in a March trade from the Seattle Seahawks, is already vibing with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system, and he’s not shy about saying so. In a Tuesday story by Ted Nguyen in The Athletic, Smith opened up about his early chemistry with Kelly, noting, “Learning this offense, I’ve been in three different systems in three years. And so I’ve been able to adjust, and that is something that I’m good at.” That kind of adaptability is music to Raiders fans’ ears, especially for a team looking to rev up an offense that limped to 27th in the NFL last year, averaging just 303.2 yards per game.
Smith’s no stranger to making things work, no matter who’s calling the plays. Over the past three seasons in Seattle, he threw for a whopping 12,226 yards and 71 touchdowns, including a career-high 30 scores in 2022 and 4,320 yards in 2024. At 34, he’s not slowing down—in fact, he’s sounding like a guy ready to take Kelly’s scheme and run with it. “The offense is really good,” Smith said, keeping the details close to the vest but teasing, “We’re looking to be explosive and efficient.” That’s exactly what the Raiders need after a 2024 season where their offense often felt stuck in neutral.
The pieces are there for Smith to shine. He’s got a legit crew of playmakers: Jakobi Meyers, a reliable target with sure hands; Tre Tucker, a speedster who can stretch the field; rookie Jack Bech, bringing fresh legs; and Pro Bowl tight end Brock Bowers, who racked up 1,194 yards and five touchdowns last year. Throw in rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, a sixth-overall pick who ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns at Boise State, and you’ve got a group that could make Kelly’s offense hum. There’s even talk of adding another veteran receiver, which could turn this unit from promising to downright scary.
Now, let’s talk about Chip Kelly. The guy’s a big name with a mixed NFL track record—26-21 as head coach of the Eagles from 2013-15, but a brutal 2-14 with the 49ers in 2016. Still, his one-year stint at Ohio State last season was a masterclass, with the Buckeyes averaging 35.7 points en route to a national title. Kelly’s up-tempo, spread-out attack is built for speed and big plays, and if he’s learned from his NFL missteps, this could be a perfect fit for a Raiders team desperate for offensive juice. Under head coach Pete Carroll, who’s all about energy and competition, Kelly’s got a chance to prove he can translate his college magic to the pros.
Smith’s optimism is contagious, and it’s easy to see why. Picture him slinging darts to Bowers over the middle, hitting Tucker on a deep post, or handing off to Jeanty for a jet sweep that leaves defenders grabbing air. If Kelly’s scheme clicks—and Smith’s track record suggests he’ll make it work—the Raiders could go from offensive afterthought to a unit that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. OTAs are just the start, but with Smith sounding this confident and a playmaking crew around him, the Silver and Black might just be ready to light up the scoreboard in 2025. Stay tuned, Raider Nation—this offense is about to get loud.
