Kelly told Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer he wants to remain in the pros, even though he had much more success in the college game, where he led Oregon to a 46-7 record, three Pac-12 championships and three top five finishes in four seasons.
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Glazer said Kelly was “disappointed how it ended” in Philadelphia but is holding out hope of landing another NFL gig.
Kelly reportedly had a Tuesday afternoon meeting with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie that didn’t go well. Lurie made the decision to release Kelly from his job then, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Tennessee would be an attractive landing spot for Kelly, where he’d reunite with former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Titans selected the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner with the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and fired coach Ken Whisenhunt after a 1-6 start this season. Mike Mularkey took over in the interim, but he isn’t likely to be retained. The Titans are 3-12 heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Colts.
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Kelly had hoped to trade up in the draft to take Mariota, who threw for 32 touchdowns with only six interceptions in 2012 while under Kelly. The Ducks kept Kelly’s offensive system in place and Mariota went on to set several school and Pac-12 records: He threw for 10,796 yards and 105 touchdowns, with just 14 interceptions, in three seasons. Mariota also ran for 2,237 yards and 29 scores.
Mariota’s rookie season has been inconsistent. He has 2,818 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while missing three games with injuries. Being reunited with Kelly could help Mariota find a comfort zone in a system he knows.
Part of Kelly’s failing in Philadelphia was in his management of the roster. Kelly was given control of personnel moves last January and overhauled the team in a series of questionable moves. The Titans will likely part ways with general manager Ruston Webster; assuming Kelly has learned his lesson, the Titans could hire a GM to work with Kelly, who went 10-6 in each of first two NFL seasons before he was given the additional title of head of football operations.
