HENDERSON, Nev. — Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said he intends to place a significant workload on running back Ashton Jeanty in the second NFL season, comparing the desired usage to Christian McCaffrey’s 83% offensive snap rate in 2025. “We want to put a lot of pressure on Ashton,” Kubiak said. “Those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.”
Kubiak has viewed Jeanty as integral to the offense since he was hired in February, and he reiterated that stance after the Raiders drafted Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round. Kubiak said the offense will need more from Jeanty after the former No. 6 overall pick led all rookies with 975 rushing yards and 1,321 yards from scrimmage last season.
The Raiders struggled as a rushing unit in 2025 despite Jeanty’s production. Las Vegas ranked last in rushing yards per game (77.5), rushing first downs (67) and rushing touchdowns (five) — all five rushing TDs were credited to Jeanty. Since 2023, the team ranks 32nd in yards per rush attempt (3.6). Jeanty averaged 3.7 yards per carry, tied for 44th, and 26.7% of his attempts went for zero or fewer yards. He totaled 639 yards after contact, the most in the past 20 seasons by any NFL player who did not reach 1,000 rushing yards.
Jeanty said he feels more comfortable entering his sophomore campaign after a true offseason. He cited improvements in his workout routine, diet and schedule management, and said he added boxing to build cardio, reaction and pass-protection skills. “I want to help the team win as much as I can, and if I don’t have to, I don’t want to come off the field,” Jeanty said.
Kubiak plans to employ a wide-zone run scheme and Jeanty has studied tape of McCaffrey and Kenneth Walker III, who ran for 1,075 yards on 221 carries under Kubiak as Seattle’s offensive coordinator. Kubiak’s previous work includes a 2024 stint as New Orleans’ offensive coordinator, when running back Alvin Kamara averaged six targets in 14 games.
