Kelly joining Raiders as offensive coordinator

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NFC wide receiver Malik Nabers, right, of the New York Giants catches a pass while defended by AFC safety Minkah Fitzpatrick during the Pro Bowl Games. CHRIS O’MEARA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Chip Kelly is returning to the NFL as the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive coordinator for new head coach Pete Carroll, a person with knowledge of the decision said Sunday.

Kelly was the offensive coordinator on Ohio State’s national championship team this past season after previously serving as the head coach at Oregon and UCLA as well as the Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers.

In hiring Kelly, the Raiders will try to spark an offense that was fourth worst this past season with 303.2 yards per game and last in rushing with a 79.8-yard average.

Kelly established himself as a creative offensive mastermind as Oregon’s offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008 and then as the Ducks’ head coach the following four seasons. He was 46-7.

Kelly then went to Philadelphia for three seasons, going 10-6 each of his first two seasons. He was fired after going 6-9 in 2015.

The 49ers then hired Kelly, who lasted just one season after posting a 2-14 record.

He returned to college football in 2018 at UCLA. The Bruins went 25-13 over his final three years.

Kelly left UCLA after the 2023 season to direct Ohio State’s offense.

PRO BOWL GAMES >> Four ex-LSU receivers competing in the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida scored a combined eight touchdowns in a flag football game that capped the NFC’s third consecutive victory over the AFC, 76-63 on Sunday.

Rookie Malik Nabers of the New York Giants found the end zone twice for the NFC, and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson also scored.

The conference essentially sealed the win by returning two interceptions for TDs in the second half. Arizona’s Budda Baker and Minnesota’s Byron Murphy delivered the big defensive plays.

Jared Goff, who got the NFC off to a strong start with his near-perfect performance in a skills competition Thursday, completed 10 of 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Goff and Murphy earned MVP honors.

Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield added three TDs on eight completions for the NFC, his second one going to Nabers.

Former LSU guys in the end zone ended up being the biggest trend in a game that lacked drama.

Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase scored three times, including a 45-yarder from Russell Wilson late, and Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. added two more for the AFC.

The NFC started the day with a 14-7 lead after six skills competitions worth up to three points each Thursday night. The conference added to its lead by winning the “Great Football Race” and dominated an old-fashioned tug-of-war competition Sunday.