Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty made headlines this week with his criticism of the Jets defense, saying he saw players who, according to film study, “don’t really want to tackle.”
Sunday, following the Raiders’ 38-33 defeat of the Jets at MetLife Stadium, the headlines turned toward Jeanty’s lack of action on the field himself. The Las Vegas offense exploded, but Jeanty had just two carries for 9 yards on the day.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the shift in Jeanty’s role.
“That’s my call,” Kubiak confirmed. “Ashton’s still going to be a big part of our team.”
When asked whether Jeanty’s lack of carries had anything to do with his comments, Kubiak said, “It didn’t.”
Kubiak also made mention of fellow rusher Mike Washington Jr., who had 25 carries for 83 yards, leading the team.
“We just wanna give Mike a few more opportunities a day,” he said. “I think both of those guys are gonna be a huge part of our rushing and passing success moving forward.”
Jeanty seemed fairly unbothered by his downgraded role after the game and said it was “communicated” to him pregame that he would have decreased carries.
“We won. It doesn’t matter how I feel about how [many] times I get the ball,” Jeanty said. “Whatever it takes for the team to win, I just want to win. That’s all.”
It’s not the first time Jeanty has drawn less-than-positive headlines. After being drafted by Las Vegas with the No. 6 overall selection in 2025, Jeanty averaged 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie, and he dropped to 3.1 in his sophomore season entering Week 8, which put him at 49th in the NFL, and rushed for 328 yards in his first seven games.
Ex-Jets head coach Rex Ryan torched Jeanty for his comments on ESPN New York before the game Sunday.
“First off, that would never be said about one of my teams, period,” Ryan said. “Alright, because there would be consequences to that, I’m telling you … you’re as soft as cotton.
“Quite honestly, 3.1 a carry, you haven’t done jack in this league.”
While Jeanty didn’t do much on the field Sunday, the Jets struggled to stop the Raiders, and quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 19 of 26 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns.
