Ashton Jeanty: Raiders OC Made Him Change Signature RB Stance

Ashton Jeanty has been touted as the most talented rookie running back entering the 2025 season. Along with his tremendous skill set, Jeanty has an iconic pre-snap stance that might have to change.

Raiders OC Persuades Ashton Jeanty To Change Stance

Here's EXACTLY how Chip Kelly got Ashton Jeanty to change his pre-snap stance. 😂 🏀 #Raiders @AshtonJeanty2 @PaniniAmerica pic.twitter.com/VAqaA5sPpV

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) May 19, 2025

Who knew that Michael Myers from Halloween played running back for the Las Vegas Raiders?

Jeanty’s pre-snap stance — straight up with hands at his side — has been compared to the iconic horror villain. When a running back is setting numerous rushing records, why bother changing what works? If it’s broken, don’t fix it.

Unless you’re Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who wants his rookie running back to adopt a new stance.

While speaking with Kay Adams on Up & Adams, Jeanty recalled how one of his first conversations with Kelly during rookie minicamp involved his stance.

“What’s crazy is, Chip Kelly comes to me first day of rookie minicamp, and he’s like, ‘You ever play basketball?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I play basketball, you know I can dunk and all that.’ He’s like, ‘OK, show me how you would guard me,’ and he’s acting like he’s holding the ball.”

Jeanty stood up and pretended to defend Adams. That’s when Kelly hit Jeanty with the punchline.

“And then he’s like, ‘That’s exactly why you have to be down in your running back stance,'” Jeanty explained.

Jeanty will oblige Kelly for now. However, the Boise State product hopes to change Kelly’s mind one day by proving it on the field.

“He won for now. I’m going to try and persuade him one day,” he said. “I have to earn my stripes and make some plays first, but I don’t think it’s going to be the end [of the stance].”

Ashton Jeanty Should Be An Integral Part Of Raiders’ Offense

#Raiders GM John Spytek on drafting Ashton Jeanty: "I always think of RBs like Bucky Irving last year — the first man can’t tackle me. Bucky proved that. And Ashton has great feet, great vision, and he’s a nightmare to tackle in the open field for LBs and DBs. And when you come… https://t.co/Uk7wO5mBvD pic.twitter.com/onmBucMVSc

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 20, 2025

The Raiders have high hopes for the No. 6 overall pick.

Jeanty is coming off a 2,601-yard season, second only to Barry Sanders’ record-breaking 2,628 rushing yards in 1988.

Barring a setback, Jeanty will be the Raiders’ starting running back in Week 1 against the New England Patriots.

Jeanty will try to boost a backfield that includes Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, and Zamir White.