Gutierrez: Jeanty's growth meets its moment as he eyes a historic finale

Jan 02, 2026 at 10:45 AM

Paul Gutierrez

Raiders Columnist

The game at the NFL level, Ashton Jeanty admitted, moved faster than he expected when he first entered the league.

Yes, the same guy Hall of Famer Marcus Allen said had the "power of Emmitt, the balance of Barry" when comparing Jeanty to all-time great running backs Smith and Sanders, respectively, was playing catch up early this season.

"But I feel I'm used to it now, for sure," Jeanty said this week. "I think getting over that hump was probably the biggest thing, so I'm excited for what the future holds."

The future begins Sunday, and entering the finale, the Raiders' first-round draft pick hopes to close things out with an even quicker burst. And given the trying times had by Jeanty and the Raiders offense this season, his breaking a franchise rookie record would be cause for celebration in a season devoid of many…if any.

Because for every highlight reel game he authored - the 138-rushing yard, three total TD tour de force against the Bears, the 128 yards on the ground he had at Houston to go with his 60-yard catch-and-run - there were also bummers - six carries for 21 yards at Kansas City, six rushes for seven yards against the Cowboys.

Plus, the Raiders have the 32nd-ranked rushing attack in the 32-team NFL.

And yet…

Jeanty, who has accumulated 1,227 scrimmage yards, needs 90 yards against the Chiefs this weekend to eclipse the 1,316 yards from scrimmage Josh Jacobs had in 2019 to set a new Raiders rookie standard (yes, I get it, Jacobs accrued that total in 13 games and it would take Jeanty 17 games, but there are no asterisks awarded here, either).

Plus, with a 112-yard rushing day, Jeanty will have a 1,000-yard rushing season. The No. 6 overall pick also currently leads all rookies in rushing, enjoying a 30-yard lead over the Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson, so that would be another Silver feather in Jeanty's Black cap.

As well as this - with 63 yards receiving against the Chiefs, Jeanty passes Allen (401) for most receiving yards by a rookie running back in team history.

It's a lot, yes, so while we stick with the narrative that players care nothing about draft slots and the like - even as the Raiders, at 2-14, have secured a Top 2 pick and would draft first with a loss to the Chiefs, or a Giants win or tie against the Cowboys earlier in the day - there are a few things at stake for Jeanty at Allegiant Stadium.

Goals. Personal, as well as team. And that has not been lost on the Raiders staff in general, offensive playcaller and quarterback coach Greg Olson in particular.

"At this time of year and where we're at in the season, it would be nice to be able to see him be rewarded and have a big game for him," Olson said. "So, I know that's important on the offensive line's mind, as well as everybody, really. We're all aware of that. So, we'll get him in, see how the game unfolds."

Olson, who took over playcaller duties upon Chip Kelly's departure following Week 12, acknowledged Jeanty playing in two different systems has made for a unique challenge.

"I think we're happy with him as an organization; wish that we'd given him more throughout the year," Olson said. "But I think he's going to be a really good player, and hopefully, again, we'll send him out on a good note and get him a chance to break Josh's record."

Putting Jeanty in space and giving him the opportunity to create would be a start.

After all, Jeanty has forced 64 missed tackles from rushing attempts and gained 350 yards after missed tackles, 10th most among running backs.

But the Chiefs, who boast the No. 10-ranked rush defense in the NFL, also have just a 12.1% missed tackle rate against designed runs, which is the fifth lowest in the league.

Numbers, though, are not what will define Jeanty, he said. Even as he is one of just two rookie running backs in NFL history with at least 800 rushing yards, five rushing TDs and five receiving TDs, along with Gale Sayers (1965).

"I don't even look at it from a stats perspective," Jeanty said, when asked how he would look back at his rookie season. "How I carried myself. How I operated throughout the season. I mean, just looking at everything I did and see how I can be better going into next season."

It can't get here fast enough.