Skip to main content
Ducks Digest

Las Vegas Raiders' Geno Smith, Chip Kelly's Interesting College Football Connection

With quarterback Geno Smith being traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders, there's an odd backstory to how the newly minted Raider knows his new offensive coordinator, former Oregon Ducks' coach Chip Kelly.
Ally Osborne|
Ohio State Buckeyes co-offensive coordinator Chip Kelly speaks during Media Day for the College Football Playoff against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Jan. 18, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes co-offensive coordinator Chip Kelly speaks during Media Day for the College Football Playoff against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Jan. 18, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Oregon DucksLas Vegas RaidersSeattle Seahawks

With quarterback Geno Smith getting traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders, it's no surprise that Smith is being reunited with some familiar faces after the Raiders hired former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll to lead the team.

Though the initial thought for a reunion is Carroll, Smith will also be reuniting with a coach from his past: former Oregon Ducks coach and Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

Back when Smith was being recruited in 2008 out of Miramar High School in Florida, Kelly offered the quarterback a scholarship at Oregon. Smith eventually turned down Kelly's offer to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers after an official visit to Morgantown on Nov. 7, 2008. According to 247 Sports, Smith only made two official visits with the other being to Alabama.

Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) prepares to pass the ball during the sec
Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) prepares to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse defeated West Virginia 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

But that's not the only connection Kelly has to Smith. Smith's cousin, wide receiver prodigy Jeremiah Smith, worked with Kelly in the 2024 season on the Ohio State Buckeye's squad. With Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith put up two touchdowns and 192 total yards against the Oregon Ducks in a 41-21 decisive defeat in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes went on to win the national championship against Notre Dame.

Now, the elder Smith and Kelly are meeting once again at Allegiant Stadium to work for the Raiders; Kelly as the highest paid offensive coordinator in the league and Smith the veteran quarterback that's being set up to thrive in Las Vegas. Already familiar with Carroll and having a history with Kelly could mean Smith will be able to easily ease into Kelly's fast-paced offensive schemes.

MORE: Oregon Ducks Secure No. 8 Seed In Big Ten Tournament, Indiana Hoosiers Matchup

MORE: What Dan Lanning Said About Staying With Oregon Ducks, Eugene

MORE: Updated National Championship Odds: Ohio State, Oregon Ducks, Texas Longhorns Battle

MORE: Marcus Mariota Fights Back Tears, Reveals Advice As Keynote Speaker In Hawaii

Furthermore, the weapons around Smith going into the 2025 Raiders season also show an upside for the veteran quarterback. Former Oregon Duck center Jackson Powers-Johnson is set to reprise his role at center, with NFL rookie record breaker Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers returning for weapons on offense for Smith.

Partner those upsides with the Raiders potentially using their sixth overall pick to add another offensive weapon, potentially Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and six other picks throughout the draft, there's a lot of potential to continue to build the Raiders without having to worry about the quarterback position now that Smith is locked in.

"Brady wasn’t overly harsh, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out how he felt about a quarterback—and whether they played the position the correct way in his eyes. Based on the one Seahawks game he called in 2024, a rain-soaked 31-10 loss to the Bills in Week 8, it was clear that Geno Smith was one of the guys who did," said The Ringer's Steven Ruiz about Las Vegas shareholders and FOX Sports commentator Tom Brady's thoughts on Smith's abilities.

After missing the chance to work together at Oregon, Smith, Kelly and the Las Vegas offense should be exciting to watch as the Raiders look to rebuild.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Published | Modified
Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally Osborne has a passion for sporting events across her home state. She began writing for Oregon Ducks on SI in 2021. Currently a morning talk show host and sports reporter for KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon, Ally is engrained in her community. Finding and sharing stories that highlight the unique culture and connectivity sports creates is a part of her DNA. She frequently contributes sports content to KOIN's broadcast and streaming platforms while hosting talk show "Everyday Northwest" and video podcast "Tower Talk Live" every weekday. With Portland being her third-worked television market (second in Oregon), Osborne brings hard-news and feature-reporting experience to compliment her expertise for sports storytelling. Her journalistic endeavors and art creations (many of which are inspired by the Oregon Ducks) can be found on her social media pages. Ally graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. 

Home/Football