Greg Olson Takes Over as OC for the Las Vegas Raiders

In a move aimed at revitalizing their struggling offense, the Las Vegas Raiders have named Greg Olson as their new offensive coordinator, a decision that marks a critical shift in the team’s strategy as they look to salvage their season and reignite their playoff hopes. Olson, a veteran NFL coach with over two decades of experience, brings a proven track record of developing dynamic offenses and maximizing the talent of quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers alike. For the Raiders—who have ranked near the bottom of the league in points scored and yards gained this season—Olson’s arrival is more than just a coaching change; it’s a chance to fix longstanding offensive inconsistencies and give their young core, including quarterback Aidan O’Connell, a clear path to success. Greg Olson Takes Over as OC for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the reasoning behind the hire, Olson’s coaching philosophy, and how his leadership could reshape the Raiders’ offense in the weeks and months to come.

Greg Olson Takes Over as OC for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with Olson’s impressive coaching resume, which has prepared him to step into this role and address the Raiders’ offensive woes. Over his career, Olson has served as offensive coordinator for four NFL teams—the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Rams—leaving a trail of success at each stop. Most notably, during his tenure with the Buccaneers from 2014 to 2016, he helped develop quarterback Jameis Winston and oversaw an offense that ranked in the top 10 in passing yards twice. He also played a key role in the Rams’ 2017 offense, which featured running back Todd Gurley’s MVP-caliber season (2,093 total yards, 19 touchdowns). Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels emphasized Olson’s experience when announcing the hire: “Greg has a rare ability to adapt his system to fit the talent on the roster, not the other way around. That’s exactly what we need right now—someone who can maximize the strengths of our players and fix the areas where we’ve struggled. His resume speaks for itself, and we’re confident he’ll make an immediate impact.”

A second key factor in the Raiders’ decision to hire Olson is the team’s urgent need to fix an offense that has held them back all season, despite having playmakers like running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams. Entering Week 15, the Raiders rank 25th in the NFL in points per game (18.9) and 23rd in total yards per game (312.6), with their passing attack struggling to find consistency behind O’Connell, a rookie fourth-round pick. The previous offensive scheme often forced players into unnatural roles—Adams, one of the league’s top wideouts, has been limited to short routes and screens, while Jacobs has seen his carries decrease despite averaging 4.5 yards per rush. Olson’s reputation for building player-friendly systems has fans and players alike optimistic. “I’ve heard great things about Greg from guys around the league,” Adams said in a recent interview. “He knows how to get playmakers the ball in positions to succeed, and that’s exactly what we need. I’m excited to learn his system and get back to playing the kind of football I know I’m capable of.”

Greg Olson Takes Over as OC for the Las Vegas Raiders also includes Olson’s immediate plans to adjust the Raiders’ offense—starting with simplifying the playbook and leaning into the team’s strengths for the Las Vegas Raiders. In his first team meeting, Olson told players he would streamline the offense, cutting down on complex pre-snap adjustments that had confused O’Connell and led to costly mistakes. Instead, he plans to focus on what the Raiders do best: utilizing Jacobs’ power running to set up play-action passes, and creating one-on-one matchups for Adams downfield. Early practices have already shown signs of change: O’Connell has been given more freedom to audible at the line of scrimmage, and Adams has been running more deep routes and crossing patterns—his specialty. “The goal right now is to make things easier for Aidan so he can play with confidence,” Olson explained. “When the quarterback is comfortable, the entire offense flows better. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this means playing to our strengths—running the ball effectively, getting Davante involved in the passing game, and minimizing turnovers. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel; we’re trying to make the wheel work better.”

Another reason Olson is a good fit for the Raiders is his ability to develop young quarterbacks—a skill that will be crucial as O’Connell continues to grow into his role as the Las Vegas Raiders’ starter. Unlike some NFL coordinators who demand quarterbacks memorize hundreds of plays, Olson takes a patient, teaching-focused approach. During his time with the Jaguars, he helped turn Blake Bortles from a raw prospect into a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, and he later mentored Winston in Tampa Bay. For O’Connell, who has shown flashes of potential but struggled with decision-making, Olson’s guidance could be transformative. “Greg has been great so far,” O’Connell said. “He doesn’t overwhelm me with information—he breaks things down step by step, and he’s always available to answer questions. He understands that I’m still learning, and he’s helping me build confidence with every rep. For the Las Vegas Raiders, having a coordinator who believes in me and is willing to teach me means everything. I’m ready to work hard and show what this offense can do.”

Finally, Greg Olson Takes Over as OC for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with what Olson’s hire means for the Raiders’ playoff hopes—and their long-term future. With just four games left in the regular season, the Raiders are 6-7 and in the thick of the AFC wild-card race, but they need to win at least three of their remaining games to have a chance at making the playoffs. A revitalized offense could be the difference between a playoff berth and a missed opportunity. Beyond this season, Olson’s presence could help the Raiders retain key players like Jacobs and Adams, who have expressed frustration with the team’s offensive struggles. “Greg’s hire is about more than just this year—it’s about building a sustainable offense that can compete for championships,” McDaniels said. “He’s the kind of coach who can help us develop our young talent and keep our veteran playmakers happy. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this is a step in the right direction, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.” As the Raiders prepare for their Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, all eyes will be on Olson’s offense to see if his changes can spark a late-season turnaround. Greg Olson Takes Over as OC for the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately shows that in the NFL, a single coaching hire can change the trajectory of a team—and for the Raiders, this one could be the key to unlocking their full potential.