Fansided

Five potential new jobs for Chip Kelly

By John Buhler

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Levi
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Levi /
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Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) walks off the field after throwing an interception in the closing seconds of the Rams
Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) walks off the field after throwing an interception in the closing seconds of the Rams /

Los Angeles Rams. 4. player. 51. . NFC. West

There is another NFC West franchise that doesn’t know what it’s doing. That club would be the dysfunctional Los Angeles Rams. If Kelly has any opportunity to be an NFL coach, the Rams are probably the only team that would seriously consider hiring him in 2017.

Keep in mind that Kelly’s lowly 49ers did beat the Rams twice this season. Those were the only two wins Kelly had in San Francisco heading into Week 17 against the division champion Seattle Seahawks. Kelly could be that high-upside gamble that owner Stan Kroenke could sink his billionaire teeth into. Kroenke did move the Rams to Los Angeles from St. Louis on a whim.

Kelly could get more out of franchise quarterback Jared Goff. If he is finally willing to adapt his predictable running style, Kelly could be the one to get Todd Gurley back to being a Pro Bowl level running back. Tavon Austin is everything Kelly wants out of a wide receiver in his spread, up-tempo offense.

Los Angeles needs to make a splash hire to at least be interesting in 2017. Hiring Kelly away from division rival San Francisco would certainly check that box. The truth is Kelly is little more than a secondary coaching candidate for this job. Like in Jacksonville, he’d get an interview out of respect but would need to blow Kroenke away to get the Rams gig. Kelly may have to go back to the college game reluctantly.