The Las Vegas Raiders are pinning their hopes on Ashton Jeanty, the electrifying running back drafted to revive their dismal ground game, which ranked dead last in the NFL last season. With minority owner Tom Brady envisioning Jeanty as the league’s top rusher, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly clarifying the buzz around Jeanty’s stance change, the 2025 NFL season is shaping up as a make-or-break moment for the Raiders. Fresh off a stellar college career at Boise State, where he amassed 2,601 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, Jeanty’s arrival has sparked excitement and scrutiny. Can this Heisman runner-up deliver on Brady’s lofty expectations and revolutionize the Raiders’ offense? Let’s dive into the hype, the adjustments, and what’s at stake for Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2024 season was a low point, with their rushing attack scraping the bottom of the NFL at a paltry 1,548 yards, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. Enter Ashton Jeanty, the crown jewel of the 2025 NFL Draft, selected by the Raiders to inject life into their offense. At Boise State, Jeanty was a force, leading the nation with 2,601 rushing yards on 374 carries, scoring 30 touchdowns, and averaging an impressive 7.0 yards per carry over 14 games. His explosive style and vision earned him second place in the Heisman Trophy voting, making him a beacon of hope for a Raiders team desperate for a turnaround. With Tom Brady, a minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion, setting sky-high expectations, Jeanty is tasked with becoming the NFL’s premier running back.
Brady’s involvement as a minority owner adds intrigue to Jeanty’s arrival. Known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, Brady reportedly sees Jeanty as the key to elevating the Raiders’ offense and competing in the AFC West, a division dominated by stars like Patrick Mahomes. Brady’s public comments, as reported by Marca, suggest he expects Jeanty to chase records, potentially eclipsing the NFL’s single-season rushing mark of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson. While such a goal seems ambitious for a rookie, Jeanty’s college production and work ethic have fueled optimism. Social media is abuzz with Raiders fans dreaming of a revitalized ground game, with Jeanty as the centerpiece of a new era under Brady’s influence.
However, Jeanty’s transition to the NFL hasn’t been without controversy. During his college career, Jeanty was known for an unconventional running back stance—less crouched, with a higher center of gravity—that suited his explosive bursts. At the Raiders’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), fans and analysts noticed Jeanty adopting a more traditional stance: knees bent, shoulders squared, as is standard for NFL running backs. This shift sparked rumors that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, known for innovative schemes, had mandated the change to align with his system. The speculation grew, with some questioning whether Kelly’s influence was stifling Jeanty’s natural style.
Chip Kelly stepped in to set the record straight during a press conference on Thursday, May 29, 2025. “Let’s get that clarified,” Kelly said. “Deland McCullough, our running backs coach, is in charge of stances, steps, alignments, assignments, and techniques, so he talked to him about that. I didn’t tell anybody on this team to be in any stances because I don’t coach positions.” Kelly explained that the adjustment was McCullough’s call, emphasizing the importance of a bent-knee stance for athletic readiness. “It’s a bent knee game,” Kelly noted. “In any athletic sport you’re playing, you’ve got to bend your knees. If you’ve got to run a flat route against Fred Warner, you better be in a position to run because that dude can fly.”
Kelly downplayed the significance of the change, describing it as a minor tweak—about “three inches” of adjustment—that prepares Jeanty for the speed and physicality of NFL defenses. He praised Jeanty’s adaptability, calling him “awesome” and “such a coachable guy.” The clarification dispelled concerns that Kelly was overhauling Jeanty’s game, instead highlighting the collaborative coaching approach under head coach Antonio Pierce. McCullough, a respected running backs coach, tailored the stance to ensure Jeanty can explode off the snap while maintaining balance against linebackers like Warner or Chiefs star Nick Bolton.
đOutchea at OTAs #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/hcyvsetEYb
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 20, 2025
The stance adjustment reflects broader challenges for Jeanty as he transitions to the NFL. College stars often face scrutiny over technical details, and Jeanty’s unorthodox stance was a hallmark of his Boise State success. The NFL, however, demands precision and consistency, especially for a Raiders team aiming to climb out of the AFC West basement. Kelly’s system, which blends tempo and misdirection, relies on a strong ground game to open up play-action passes for quarterback (presumably Aidan O’Connell or a 2025 draft pick). Jeanty’s ability to adapt—evident in his 7.0 yards per carry and 30 touchdowns—bodes well, but he’ll face stiffer competition from defenses designed to neutralize dynamic runners.
The Raiders’ investment in Jeanty signals a shift toward a run-first identity, a departure from their pass-heavy struggles in 2024. With a porous offensive line that allowed 42 sacks last season, Las Vegas must improve blocking to unleash Jeanty’s potential. Kelly’s scheme, which emphasizes quick reads and lateral movement, could exploit Jeanty’s vision and agility, as seen in his 374 college carries. Pairing Jeanty with a veteran like Zamir White or a rookie lineman from the 2025 draft could create a balanced attack, easing pressure on the quarterback and fulfilling Brady’s vision of a record-setting rusher.
Brady’s influence extends beyond the field, shaping the Raiders’ culture and ambition. His competitive drive, evident in his reported rivalry with Mahomes over Olympic flag football, underscores his desire to see Las Vegas succeed. Jeanty, with his work ethic and coachability, aligns with Brady’s ethos, drawing comparisons to greats like Marshall Faulk, who thrived in versatile systems. However, expectations must be tempered. Rookies rarely break rushing records, and Jeanty faces a steep learning curve in a division with elite defenses like Kansas City’s. The Raiders’ 5-12 record in 2024 highlights the need for holistic improvements, not just a star running back.
The NFL landscape adds context to Jeanty’s arrival. The 2025 season is a proving ground for young stars, with players like Cooper Flagg making waves in the NBA and quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers rumored to join new teams. The Raiders’ draft strategy, bolstered by Jeanty, reflects a trend of teams investing in dynamic playmakers to counter pass-heavy offenses. Kelly’s clarification about the stance change also underscores the importance of coaching in maximizing talent, a lesson echoed across the league. If Jeanty delivers, he could redefine the Raiders’ identity and validate Brady’s high-stakes gamble.
For Raiders fans, Jeanty is a symbol of hope. Social media posts highlight his college highlights—jukes, spin moves, and long touchdown runs—fueling excitement for training camp. Yet, skeptics warn that a rookie, even one as talented as Jeanty, can’t single-handedly fix a struggling franchise. The stance controversy, though minor, reflects the scrutiny he’ll face as Brady’s chosen star. As the 2025 season looms, Jeanty’s performance will determine whether he can meet the hype and make Brady’s vision a reality.
Ashton Jeanty’s arrival in Las Vegas carries the weight of Tom Brady’s ambitions and the Raiders’ desperate need for a spark. With 2,601 college rushing yards and a coachable demeanor, Jeanty is poised to transform the NFL’s worst ground game, but his stance adjustment and rookie challenges underscore the road ahead. Chip Kelly’s clarification dispels rumors, highlighting a collaborative coaching effort to unleash Jeanty’s potential. As the Raiders chase respectability in 2025, Jeanty’s success could redefine the franchise and cement Brady’s legacy as an owner. Will Jeanty become the NFL’s top rusher? Can he turn the Raiders around? The answers await on the gridiron. Let’s talk football!