Multiple NFL Teams Interested in UCLA’s Chip Kelly, per Report
Chip Kelly doesn’t appear to be on his way out as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins in the immediate future, nor would it make much financial sense for him to choose to depart currently. But apparently NFL teams are eyeing the former Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers head coach for a potential return to pro football in an offensive coordinator role, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Kelly’s name reportedly has “been on the lips of candidates and teams alike in recent weeks” as a possible NFL offensive coordinator.
Although Kelly may be an intriguing option as an NFL offensive coordinator, it’s unlikely he’d opt to leave UCLA to accept such a position. The UCLA head coach signed a three-year contract extension in early 2023 and is due to make $6.1 million in 2024 and $6.2 million from 2025 to 2027, per Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. He also has a $4.27 million buyout if fired before December 2024, but that buyout amount drops to zero in December 2025.
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A typical NFL coordinator earns approximately $1 million per year, so on the surface, it appears unlikely Kelly will be returning to the NFL in ’24.
Kelly and the Bruins are coming off an 8-5 campaign that included a 4-5 record in Pac-12 play. Over his six years with the Bruins, Kelly boasts a 35-34 record.
Kelly spent four years as an NFL head coach, posting a record of 26-21 with the Eagles from 2013 through ’15 and going 2-14 with the 49ers in ’16.
Prior to that, he coached the Oregon Ducks to a 46-7 record over four seasons from 2009 through ’12.