The Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly found their new offensive coordinator in Luke Getsy, according to sources. Getsy, who was recently fired by the Chicago Bears, was one of several candidates interviewed for the position. The news comes after former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury removed himself from consideration.
In his reintroductory news conference, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce expressed his desire for a coordinator who can produce a minimum of 24 points per game. The Raiders averaged just 19.5 points under former coach Josh McDaniels and interim coordinator Bo Hardegree. To achieve this goal, the team would need to score 408 points, a feat they have accomplished only three times since their Super Bowl season in 2002.
Pierce emphasized the importance of a coordinator who can adapt and make in-game adjustments. He also highlighted the Raiders’ reputation for a vertical passing game and explosive plays down the field. The team is known for its creativity, incorporating shifts and motions into their offensive strategy.
Getsy’s hiring aligns with the run-heavy mentality that Pierce and new general manager Tom Telesco prefer. During his time with the Bears, Getsy’s offense led the league in rushing in 2022 and finished second in 2023. However, their passing offense struggled, ranking last in 2022 and 27th in 2023. The team averaged 21.2 points per game.
One intriguing aspect of Getsy’s hiring is his relationship with Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Fields could potentially be a trade target for the Raiders, who hold the No. 13 overall draft pick and are likely to move on from veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. While rookie Aidan O’Connell showed promise as a backup, he lacked mobility in the pocket.
Getsy was fired by the Bears on January 10 as part of a staff shakeup. Despite the team’s struggles, head coach Matt Eberflus was retained for the 2024 season. The Bears finished with a 7-10 record, tied for last place in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Raiders, on the other hand, went 8-9 under Pierce’s leadership, including a notable victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. However, their quarterbacks combined for a disappointing 80.1 quarterback rating.
In Chicago, player frustrations with the offense were evident throughout the 2023 season. Fields publicly criticized the coaching staff for his lackluster performances, while wide receiver DJ Moore expressed disappointment with the lack of explosive plays. Eberflus acknowledged the need for improvement in the offense and made the decision to part ways with Getsy.
Despite the challenges, Getsy’s offense in Chicago showed improvement compared to previous seasons. They ranked 17th in offensive points per game, their highest ranking since 2018.
The news of Getsy’s hiring was first reported by Sports Illustrated. As the Raiders continue to build their coaching staff, fans will be eager to see how Getsy’s offensive expertise will impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season. With a focus on running the ball and creating explosive plays, the Raiders hope to improve their scoring output and compete at a higher level in the league.