Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that former 49ers and Eagles HC Chip Kelly is a candidate worth watching for the Falcons’ offensive coordinator vacancy now that the 49ers have officially hired Kyle Shanahan as their next head coach.
According to Rapoport, the Falcons bringing in Kelly to run their offense would be contingent upon him retaining Shanahan’s offensive system, as opposed to his uptempo offense he ran at Oregon and in the NFL.
However, Rapoport adds that this could be a sticking point for Kelly.
On Sunday, Rapoport mentioned that Kelly has a “real chance” of being hired by the Falcons if Matt LaFleur departs for the Rams’ offensive coordinator position.
The Rams and new HC Sean McVay have reportedly requested permission to interview LaFleur (NFLTR) for their offensive coordinator vacancy.
Last week, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Kelly has become a “legitimate candidate” to replace Shanahan as the Falcons offensive coordinator.
According to Schultz, being fired twice in the past two years has “humbled” Kelly and convinced him he needs to make some philosophical changes to his offense. Schultz says that the Falcons value Kelly’s offensive mind but they no have intention of allowing him run his consistently uptempo offense, considering the effect it can have on the team’s defense.
Schultz expects the Falcons’ offensive coordinator’s job will be an attractive position, but they’re still left in a tough position, as there aren’t that many price candidates still available at this point in the year.
Kelly, 53, was hired by the Eagles back in 2013 as their head coach. He lasted just under three years in Philadelphia before he was fired during the 2015 season. The 49ers hired him as their head coach soon after.
Since taking the Eagles’ head-coaching job back in 2013, Kelly has produced a record of 28-35 (44.4 percent) as an NFL head coach for Philadelphia and San Francisco including one playoff appearance while he was with the Eagles.
We’ll have more regarding Kelly and the Falcons as the news is available.
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