The Las Vegas Raiders are no strangers to adversity in the 2025 NFL season, grappling with a myriad of challenges that have left them struggling to find their footing. But amidst the turmoil, a silver-and-black beacon of hope has emerged in rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. The sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has ignited the Raiders’ rushing attack, transforming it from a weak link in the first three weeks into a force to be reckoned with over the past two games. Yet, despite Jeanty’s undeniable breakout, former NFL quarterback turned analyst Chris Simms has doubled down on his anti-Raiders bias with a jaw-droppingly disrespectful take on the young star that has Raiders Nation in an uproar.
Let’s set the stage: Ashton Jeanty has been a revelation. After a slow start to the season, the Raiders’ ground game has roared to life, largely thanks to Jeanty’s explosive performances. Over the past two weeks alone, he’s racked up 205 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns, proving he’s more than just a one-dimensional runner. His 155-yard, three-touchdown masterpiece against the Chicago Bears in Week 4 earned him FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors, a testament to his growing dominance.
Jeanty currently sits eighth in the NFL in rushing yards and 14th among running backs in scrimmage yards—numbers that scream “elite” for a rookie on a team with a porous offensive line, now further hampered by the absence of star tackle Kolton Miller. But apparently, these stats aren’t enough to impress Chris Simms, whose latest comments about Jeanty are so off-base they’re practically in another galaxy.
Known for his heavy anti-Raiders bias, Simms has never been shy about taking shots at the Silver and Black. But his recent tirade against Jeanty takes the cake for sheer absurdity. After just one week of Jeanty’s NFL career, Simms was quick to dismiss him, and now, even with the rookie’s stellar stats, he’s still not buying the hype. In a rant that’s equal parts bewildering and infuriating, Simms claimed Jeanty lacks the elite explosiveness to “split defenders” or “pull away from contact.”
“His ability to see a hole or seam and just explode through it and split defenders, that’s not elite,” Simms said. “He’s got good contact talent, but the explosiveness to pull away from the contact after at times… for me is not up with the top guys… I don’t think he’s popped to our eyes that way, at least not to me yet.”
Simms didn’t stop there. He went on to argue that Jeanty’s college tape—where he made defenders look silly with broken tackles and highlight-reel runs—doesn’t translate to the NFL because, apparently, NFL linebackers are just too tough for him. “You played against a lot of linebackers in college football or people at the second level that are not NFL football players,” Simms scoffed. “And you’re seeing now, when those guys hit you, yeah, we don’t get the same amount of guys falling off him and people bouncing off him… It’s like, yeah, you lowered a blow, sure, but you went down.”
To top it all off, Simms had the audacity to claim that Raiders teammate Raheem Mostert is more explosive than Jeanty and suggested that other rookies, like Omarion Hampton and Quinshon Judkins, are flat-out better. Excuse me, Chris—have you seen the stat sheet?
Let’s talk facts, because Simms’ take is crumbling faster than a house of cards in a windstorm. According to Pro Football Focus, Jeanty has amassed 313 yards after contact this season and broken a staggering 22 tackles. That’s right—22 tackles. Oh, and according to Pro Football Reference, he leads the league in broken tackles. For a guy who supposedly can’t break tackles or pull away from contact, those numbers paint a very different picture. Jeanty isn’t just holding his own; he’s thriving, even behind an offensive line that’s been less than stellar.
To put it bluntly, Simms’ critique isn’t just wrong—it’s borderline delusional. Jeanty’s ability to power through defenders, shake off would-be tacklers, and turn short gains into chunk plays is exactly what Raiders fans have been craving. His blend of vision, agility, and raw power has made him one of the few bright spots on a Raiders team that’s otherwise struggling to find its identity.
Simms’ comments aren’t just an attack on Jeanty—they’re a slap in the face to the entire Raiders Nation. Fans have taken to social media to defend their rookie phenom, pointing to his highlight-reel runs and jaw-dropping stats as proof that Simms is out of touch. One X post summed it up perfectly: “Jeanty’s out here breaking tackles and breaking records, and Simms is breaking our patience with these trash takes. #RaiderNation.”
The truth is, Jeanty’s emergence is a lifeline for a Raiders team desperate for something to cheer about. While the season has been a rollercoaster of disappointment, Jeanty’s ability to turn heads week after week is giving fans hope that the future is bright. Whether it’s his knack for finding daylight in tight spaces or his relentless drive to fight for extra yards, Jeanty is proving he’s got the makings of a superstar.
Let’s not kid ourselves—Simms’ anti-Raiders bias is nothing new. The former quarterback has a track record of throwing shade at the Silver and Black, and his latest comments about Jeanty are just another chapter in that tired saga. But Raiders fans aren’t buying it, and neither should you. Jeanty’s production speaks for itself, and no amount of hot air from Simms can change that.
As Jeanty continues to pile up yards and silence doubters, one thing is clear: he’s not just a rookie running back—he’s a cornerstone for the Raiders’ future. So, Chris Simms, keep your takes in the booth, because Ashton Jeanty is too busy running through defenses to care. The Raiders Nation has their star, and they’re ready to ride with him all the way.