Las Vegas Raiders OC Chip Kelly Defends Ashton Jeanty Amid Poor Start To The Season

The Las Vegas Raiders’ running game has not gotten off to the explosive start many anticipated, and the spotlight has naturally fallen on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Through three games, the highly-touted prospect’s numbers have been modest, leading to questions from fans and media about the effectiveness of the ground attack. However, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is not reaching for the panic button. In a recent press conference, Kelly offered a blunt and data-driven perspective on the Chip Kelly Ashton Jeanty struggles, suggesting that the concerns are overblown and part of a league-wide trend.

This article will break down Chip Kelly’s calm response to the criticism, analyze the context he provided for the running game’s performance, and explain why the coach remains confident in his rookie running back and the offensive scheme.

Las Vegas Raiders OC Chip Kelly Puts Struggles In Context

When a team invests a high draft pick in a running back, the expectation is for immediate, game-changing production. Through three weeks, the Raiders’ ground game has been more methodical than explosive, with Jeanty averaging just 3.7 yards per carry in his most recent outing against the Washington Commanders.

When questioned about these concerns, Chip Kelly was quick to reframe the narrative, pointing out that the Raiders are not alone in their early-season running challenges.

“I think it’s the defenses right now,” Kelly told reporters on September 25. “If you look at it statistically, Ashton Jeanty’s tied for 10th in the league for carries with two other guys. Of the top 12 backs in the National Football League through three games, there are only four who average over four yards a carry.”

Kelly then listed some of the league’s most elite running backs to support his point. “Everybody else—Saquon Barkley averages 3.3 yards per carry, Christian McCaffrey averages three yards per carry. So Ashton Jeanty’s right in the bunch with those guys.”

This context is crucial. Kelly’s argument is that the issue is not specific to Jeanty or the Raiders’ offense, but rather a broader NFL trend where defenses are often ahead of offenses in the opening weeks of the season. His point is clear: judging a running back’s performance in a vacuum, without considering the league-wide landscape, is misleading.

“I think across the league through the first three games, defenses are ahead of offenses at a big rate… That’s just the league,” Kelly explained. “Sometimes defenses are ahead, then offenses catch up, and it goes back and forth. That’s the nature of this game.”

A Gauntlet of Elite Run Defenses

Beyond the league-wide trend, Kelly’s argument is strengthened by the quality of opponents the Raiders have faced. Their first three games were against some of the NFL’s most formidable run defenses. The New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders all rank among the league leaders in fewest rushing yards allowed.

Facing such a difficult slate to start a career would be a challenge for any running back, let alone a rookie still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL. This schedule provides critical context for Jeanty’s numbers. It’s not that the running game is failing; it’s that it has been tested against the best of the best.

The Raiders’ upcoming schedule may provide more opportunities for the ground game to find its footing. Their Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears, has been more vulnerable against the run, having allowed 418 rushing yards so far this season. This matchup presents a potential “get right” game for Jeanty and the offensive line, which could be exactly what they need to build confidence and momentum.

Is the Offensive Line the Real Issue?

While Chip Kelly remains steadfast in his support for Jeanty and his belief in the offensive process, not everyone is convinced that the issue lies solely with tough defensive matchups. Some analysts have pointed a finger directly at the Raiders’ offensive line.

NFL analyst Mark Schlereth, speaking on the “Rich Eisen Show,” was particularly critical of the line’s performance against Washington. “The concern is the Raiders couldn’t block their way out of a wet paper sack,” Schlereth said bluntly. “I thought the right side of their offensive line, with their right tackle and their right guard, was just subpar at best.”

This critique highlights the symbiotic relationship between a running back and his blockers. A running back can have elite vision and power, but if there are no lanes to run through, production will inevitably suffer. Schlereth’s comments suggest that the combination of a rookie back learning on the job and an offensive line that is struggling to win its matchups is the root cause of the problem.

From Kelly’s perspective, this is all part of the natural ebb and flow of an NFL season. An offensive line needs time to gel, and a rookie running back needs reps to develop chemistry with his blockers. Kelly’s public comments show a commitment to trusting that process rather than making reactionary changes based on a small and difficult three-game sample size.

Why Kelly Remains Unconcerned

Chip Kelly’s response is a masterclass in coaching philosophy: control the narrative, trust the data, and believe in the process. His lack of concern can be attributed to several key factors:

1. League-Wide Perspective: He understands that offensive production is down across the league, and his team’s performance is not an outlier.
2. Strength of Schedule: He recognizes that his offense has faced an incredibly difficult slate of run defenses.
3. Belief in Talent: Kelly has faith in Jeanty’s talent and the ability of the offensive line to improve. He sees the “how” and the “why” on tape, not just the results on the stat sheet.
4. Long-Term View: As a veteran coach, Kelly knows that a 17-game season is a marathon, not a sprint. He is not going to overreact to the first three games.

Conclusion

Despite the outside noise surrounding the Chip Kelly Ashton Jeanty struggles, the Raiders’ offensive coordinator is the calmest person in the room. His data-backed analysis and patient approach demonstrate a coach who is looking at the big picture. He sees a talented rookie running back who is getting a high volume of carries and performing on par with some of the league’s established stars against top-tier competition.

While the offensive line must improve and the running game needs to find a higher gear, Kelly’s message is clear: don’t panic. The season is long, defenses will adjust, and the offense will catch up. For Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders’ ground attack, the best is yet to come.