Chip Kelly
Head Coach — Philadelphia Eagles
More Philadelphia Eagles Players
About Chip Kelly
Chip Kelly arrived in Philadelphia in 2013 with a sports science revolution and a plan to turn the Eagles into an up-tempo offensive laboratory. He brought smoothies. He brought sleep-tracking wristbands. He brought a pace of play so fast that opposing defenses looked like they were running in sand. And for one season, it worked. The Eagles went 10-6, the offense was electric, and Kelly looked like the smartest man in football. Then he got personnel control and turned into a one-man wrecking crew who systematically dismantled everything good about the roster in the span of two offseasons.
The trades are the crime scene. LeSean McCoy, the franchise's all-time leading rusher, shipped to Buffalo. DeSean Jackson, the most explosive weapon on the team, released outright. Nick Foles, the quarterback who had just thrown 27 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, traded to St. Louis. Kelly replaced them with Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, and a collection of parts that did not fit together in any recognizable football formation. The 2015 Eagles went 6-9 before Kelly was fired with one game remaining. He retreated to college football at UCLA, then moved to Ohio State as an offensive coordinator. Eagles fans remember his tenure the way someone remembers a house renovation that burned the house down. The smoothies were fine. The football decisions were arson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Eagles fans hate Chip Kelly so much?
Because he inherited a playoff-caliber roster and traded away three of its best players in consecutive offseasons. LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, and Nick Foles were all fan favorites. Kelly replaced them with players who either didn't fit his system or were physically broken. The Sam Bradford trade cost a second-round pick for a quarterback with two torn ACLs. DeMarco Murray, the league's rushing champion in Dallas, averaged 3.6 yards per carry behind an offensive line not built for his style. Kelly had two years of full roster control and produced one of the most rapid talent collapses in modern NFL history. He turned a contender into a rebuilding project through sheer overconfidence.
Last updated: April 2026