Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts on the two RB system Las Vegas will use in 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders will use Ashton Jeanty as the starting running back, but also give rookie Mike Washington some run.
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted a running back in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They didn’t need a starter, as they have one of the best young guys in the league in Ashton Jeanty. However, they badly needed a backup.
In Klint Kubiak’s offensive system, there will be two running backs who take a bulk of the carries. That’s how it was in Seattle last year, and they won the Super Bowl. Now they’ll be doing that in 2026 with the Raiders.
Ashton Jeanty discusses the Raiders’ new two-back system.
“Obviously, I want to be in the game every snap, but I do think it will be beneficial to continue to wear the defense down and play at a high level, so I’m super excited to play with Mike [Washington, rookie RB],” Jeanty said on Silver and Black Productions’ broadcast of Media Day.
I know he doesn’t want to, but Jeanty needs to come off the field a little more often. He handled a heavy workload as both a rookie and at Boise State, so sharing duties with Washington Jr. could be beneficial. This approach isn’t about replacing him but supporting his significance early in his NFL career.
“He ranked 7th in total carries (266) but only 18th in total rushing yards. 780 of his 975 rushing yards came after contact, and he led the league with 43 broken tackles. Over four years at Boise State, he totaled more than 1,000 carries.
Kubiak, though, has also made the case for Jeanty to be on the field as much as possible.
“I’ve said it before, I think it’s important to have a quality second back, but the best player has got to play, and we’ve got to get them on the field as much as we can,” Kubiak said a few weeks ago. “I don’t know the play snap percentage, but you look at Christian McCaffrey, his play snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.”
Jeanty is a playmaker, so he does need to be on the field. But they also need that two-back system to wear the defense down, and keep both guys healthy.