The Las Vegas Raiders are betting on a new run-first identity for the 2024 season, led by coach Chip Kelly, QB Geno Smith, and a determined Josh Jacobs.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
A new vision for the Las Vegas Raiders is coming into focus, and it's built on a foundation of grit, ground-and-pound football, and smart quarterback play. An anonymous NFL executive pulled back the curtain on the team's thinking this week, suggesting the pairing of new head coach Chip Kelly and quarterback Geno Smith is a calculated move to build a punishing, run-heavy offense. The belief is that Smith's accuracy and intelligence are the perfect complements to a scheme designed to let the running backs eat.
If they lean on their ground game, an anonymous NFL executive believes the Geno Smith-Chip Kelly pairing could be very successful for the Raiders.
The centerpiece of this new identity is, without question, running back Josh Jacobs. Reports from the facility paint a picture of a player on a mission, channeling a 'renewed determination' to fuel a redemption season for the Silver and Black. Coaches and teammates have praised his laser focus and leadership this offseason, confirming his role as the engine of the offense. The plan seems simple but effective: let a motivated Jacobs carry the load, control the clock (the team averaged 31 minutes of possession in 2025), and put Geno Smith in favorable situations to find his reliable targets like Hunter Renfrow and Foster Moreau.
An elite running game and a new quarterback are nothing without protection, which brings the Raiders to their most pressing issue. An insider recently issued a stark warning regarding the contract of left tackle Kolton Miller. With his deal unresolved, the risk of a holdout or a major distraction looms over the team's preparations. Miller is the undisputed cornerstone of the offensive line, and failing to secure his long-term future could sabotage the entire offensive game plan before the season even begins. The front office is officially on the clock.
While the offense is grabbing headlines, the defense is quietly undergoing a massive transformation. The Raiders have seen significant roster turnover, parting with key veterans like linebacker Robert Spillane and safety Trevon Moehrig. Replacing their production and leadership will be a monumental task for a unit that needs to improve on last year's performance. The pressure will be on players like cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr. and linebacker Divine Deablo to step up. In the hyper-competitive AFC West, an offense that averaged just 22 points per game last season can't afford to be let down by its defense.
The Raiders' path forward is clear: establish a dominant ground game with Jacobs and rely on Geno Smith to make smart, efficient plays. But this blueprint is fragile. The front office must resolve Kolton Miller's contract to solidify the offensive line, and the new-look defense needs to gel quickly in a brutal AFC West. All eyes will be on training camp to see if this high-stakes gamble on a new identity is ready to pay off.
