GM Spytek champions running back Ashton Jeanty, emphasizing his resilience and potential despite a tough rookie year surrounded by team struggles.
After a 3-14 finish in 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders are once again searching for a new head coach. The Raiders fired Pete Carroll on Black Monday, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was fired during the season after just 11 games.
It was a massive disappointment in Las Vegas, especially after trading for quarterback Geno Smith and selecting Boise State superstar running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft.
After the news of Carroll's firing came, Raiders GM John Spytek spoke to reporters, and one thing he did was defend Jeanty in what was a tough rookie season.
"I'm proud of Ashton. It wasn't an easy season for him," Spytek said, via team reporter Levi Edwards. "He showed up every day and worked. He showed up every game and competed. He was always available for his teammates. He was an exemplary worker, and we've got to do a better job surrounding him with a lot of players that can help him too.
"His success – I know there's been a lot of narratives out there that he didn't have the season that maybe he deserved or you would expect from the sixth overall pick," Spytek continued. "Well, that's fine, but it's not just Ashton. There's 10 other people that are out there with him, and it's our job to put a great group of guys around him to help him realize his potential."
Jeanty finished with 266 carries for 975 yards and five touchdowns, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, although the Raiders offensive line and Geno Smith's nonstop turnovers surely didn't help that in any way.
Jeanty also spoke about his rookie season, and he is looking forward to spending the offseason to improve his game.
"Obviously there's still a lot of room for growth, but I think I did pretty good for what I had. There's some plays I've run back and looked at, wished I could've capitalized more but that's just apart of the game. You're not going to make every single play out there. But I'm going to be working this offseason, building off what I've done this year and just trying to improve on the little things that I can."
If the Raiders can land an offensive-minded head coach and an exciting OC to go along with him, it could do wonders for Jeanty, not to mention the Raiders have the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and have been linked to Indiana Hoosiers star QB Fernando Mendoza.
Year 2 could be an exciting one for Jeanty.