What Jets Said After Raiders' Ashton Jeanty Questioned Their Tackling

Ashton Jeanty said Wednesday that "a couple of guys" on the New York Jets defense "don't really want to tackle." The comment made the rounds at the team's facility in Florham Park, and by Friday, Jets coach Aaron Glenn had an answer for it.

"This is the NFL, and I get it," Glenn said. "Everybody's motivated by certain things. But man, your true motivation is each week you get a chance to play, and I think that's about it. But words are always said between players, and that's just what it is. Our guys will be ready to play."

The Jets host the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. New York is 2-5 in Glenn's second season after going 3-14 in his first, and Las Vegas is 3-4 under Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and has lost four straight.

New York's defense allows 21.4 points per game, 13th in the league, and its 19 sacks rank in the top 10.

Las Vegas took Jeanty sixth overall in 2025. He ran for 102 yards in Week 1 and has not reached 60 in any of the six games since.

In last week's 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he carried 8 times for 15 yards. He has 328 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season, averaging 3.1 yards per carry, and the Raiders rank 31st in rushing offense.

"I think we can definitely get the run game going. Get back on track," Jeanty said.

Jeanty needs 409 rushing yards to pass Marcus Allen for the second-most by a Raider through his first two seasons. Las Vegas ran the ball 17 times last week.

Some Jets players privately said they were surprised by the comment given Jeanty's own numbers, according to ESPN.

Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker grinned through his answer on Thursday.

"I've got plenty of confidence in our guys," Duker said. "I think it can be better. Obviously, overall there's certainly room for improvement. I'm always going to want more in that area as well."

As for whether his players had heard what Jeanty said, Duker was sure they were aware.

They found out in different ways, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. He was not surprised that a second-year player would say something like that.

"Whenever our name is brought up, whether it be by an opponent or past opponent, it catches our eye," Fitzpatrick said. "But the way I operate, I give 110 percent effort no matter who I'm playing against, no matter what they said. Obviously, some things can add more fuel to the fire, but at the end of the day, I gotta go out there and do my job."

New York will play without defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (knee), and edge rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle) and offensive lineman Max Mitchell (concussion) are also out. Rookie edge rusher David Bailey is doubtful with a groin injury and a game-time decision. The No. 2 overall pick out of Texas Tech leads the Jets with 5.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles.

Running back Breece Hall (quad) is questionable after three limited practices. On the other side, the Raiders ruled out defensive end Patrick Johnson (stinger) and tight end Carter Runyon (foot), and tight end Brock Bowers practiced fully after a limited Wednesday.

"Losing [Sweat], I mean, that's always a huge deal for us," Glenn explained. "But the thing is we've got guys behind him that are going to come in and do a good job for us."

New York opened the season with a 23-10 win at Tennessee and lost 23-12 to the Chicago Bears in Week 4. Kickoff Sunday is 1 p.m. ET.