Chip Kelly and the Las Vegas Raiders have been called out for how they are using Ashton Jeanty, and the offensive coordinator responded in comical fashion on Tuesday.
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Ashton Jeanty with the expectations that he had a chance to become one of the elite running backs in the NFL.
At times this season, he has proven to be capable of doing just that, but offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has been inconsistent with his touches.
In the team's 30-29 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, he had 13 carries for 42 yards. He did make some plays in the passing game, as he finished with five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Fans voiced their displeasure with his touches in the game, and Kelly had heard enough when he was asked about Jeanty's usage by a reporter on Tuesday.
“I think he leads the league in rookie rushing doesn’t he? Carries?," Kelly said. "Everything we do game plan wise is about winning that game. It’s not about how many touches. Maybe some fantasy people are a little disturbed but we’re not coaching for fantasy people.”
On the season, Jeanty ranks 11th in the NFL in rushes with 124, and 16th with 487 yards. His best game of the season was in Week 4 against the Bears, when he rushed for 138 yards and finished with three total touchdowns.
The Raiders made one of the bigger trades during Tuesday's trade deadline, as they sent Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jagaurs for a fourth and fifth-round pick.
Getting tight end Brock Bowers back was huge for the offense, as he had 12 catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns in Week 9.
With any rookie, there is a learning curve where the coaching staff continues to see how much they can trust him. With the Raiders in last place in arguably the toughest division in the NFL, this is an opportunity for the team to really let Jeanty grow as a player.
Does that mean give him 30-35 carries? No, but continue to use him in the passing game both as a receiver, as well as a blocker. Let him continue to develop that relationship with Geno Smith, because it is likely Smith will be back at quarterback next season as well.
The 2026 NFL Draft class doesn't appear to have a quarterback worthy of being selected where the Raiders will be drafted.
In today's football, fans and the media talk and complain more about player's usage and things like that than they ever have. However, when you take a guy with the No. 6 pick in the draft, that is a guy who has to become a cornerstone of your franchise.