Full Breakdown
Raiders Coach Klint Kubiak Pushes Ashton Jeanty for Larger Role
5/23/2026, 8:42:59 PM
Kubiak’s Push to Expand Jeanty’s Role
Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft after a senior season at Boise State (374 carries, 2,601 yards, 29 touchdowns), logged 266 carries for 975 yards, 55 receptions for 346 yards, and appeared on 78 % of the Raiders’ offensive snaps (771 of 987) as a rookie. New head coach Klint Kubiak, hired in 2026, said the team will “put a lot of pressure on Ashton” and keep him on the field, citing Christian McCaffrey’s 83 % snap rate. The staff also added Mike Washington Jr., yet Kubiak emphasized Jeanty’s expanded usage.
Data & Statistics
Jeanty logged 266 rushes for 975 yards, 55 catches and 321 touches, playing 78 % of offensive snaps. Christian McCaffrey posted 413 touches and an 83 % snap rate, with 47 more receptions and 45 more carries. Analyst Vinny Bonsignore projects Jeanty will handle 75-80 % of snaps in 2026, with Washington as a situational complement.
Official Statements & Responses
Kubiak told reporters the Raiders plan to keep Jeanty on the field as much as possible, citing McCaffrey’s high snap share as a benchmark for elite backs. Jeanty said he is eager to stay on the field and help the team win. Analyst Bonsignore warned the team must “get the bang for your buck” given the premium on top running backs and noted that no official snap-percentage for Jeanty’s 2026 usage has been released.
Criticism & Opposition
Bonsignore noted Kubiak’s preference for a two-back system may clash with the push for a single workhorse and warned that overreliance on Jeanty could strain the salary-cap given the premium on elite backs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.” — Klint Kubiak, Raiders head coach
- “I look forward to it a lot,” — Ashton Jeanty, Raiders RB
- “I think it’s going to be, or should be, 75 to 80 percent of the time with Ashton Jeanty out there on the field, and then have somebody that comes in there, and that probably will be Mike Washington, filling in when he can and having a nice role for himself,” — Vinny Bonsignore, California Post analyst
- “I’ve been watching Christian since college, watched Kenneth Walker III in college, too.” — Ashton Jeanty, Raiders RB
What’s Next
The Raiders will track Jeanty’s snap count through OTAs, training camp and preseason, then assess whether his usage approaches the projected 75-80 % in the regular season.
