Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was benched midway through the clash with the New York Jets days after saying his upcoming opponents “don’t really want to tackle.”

The clash between the Jets and Raiders is a must-win for both teams. After a 3-0 start, Las Vegas have fallen in four successive games with growing calls for Kirk Cousins to be replaced by No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Meanwhile, the Jets fell at home to the previously winless Miami Dolphins in Week 7, sinking to 2-5 and threatening to derail their season if Aaron Glenn’s team cannot secure a win at MetLife Stadium. But ahead of the game, Raiders star back Jeanty appeared to give the Jets defense some bulletin board material.

“Yeah, I think we can definitely get the run game going,” Jeanty told reporters earlier this week. “We can get back on track. Just really get after these guys.

“A couple guys out there that don't really want to tackle, but I'm not going to say names.”

Jeanty’s words came back to bite him in a big way. It seems Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak did not appreciate Jeanty’s comments; midway through the third quarter, the 2025 No. 6 overall pick had just one carry for a single yard.

Jeanty received no carries in the first quarter, with Kubiak instead turning to rookie Mike Washington Jr. He had turned 13 carries into 54 yards, with Jeanty instead benched and forced to wait for his first carry in the closing minutes of the first half.

Jeanty was not listed on the Raiders' final injury report for the game, and Kubiak never recently commented or suggested that the running back might limit his snap counts or status. Instead, the Raiders went straight to Washington.

Before the game, former Jets head coach Rex Ryan wasn't happy about Jeanty's comments. On ESPN, he ruthlessly tore into the former Heisman Trophy runner-up by calling him “the worst draft pick” among running backs in the last 20 years.

“This guy is soft as Charmin, look at him,” Ryan said as he watched Jeanty’s tape. “Oh, hired killer right there.

“I’m gonna tell you something. I’m going right up to this kid before the game, and I’m saying, ‘Listen, young man, I heard what you said, and I want you to know something, alright? We are not gonna try to take you out of the game.’”

Ryan continued: “‘Why? Because you are horrible. You're about the worst draft pick of the last 20 years, I think, as a running back. You stink. You're averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Today, you get your a-- kicked, and you know who else does? His teammates. It's on you, my friend.’”

It’s the latest development in a frustrating season for Jeanty. The Boise State alum has rushed for 328 yards and a touchdown alongside 312 yards and three touchdowns through the air. As a rookie, he finished with 975 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns.

But the decision to drop him to the bench will sting after Jeanty spoke so brashly about the Jets earlier this week. Jeanty bounced back with a 45-yard gain via a catch-and-run in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders lead the Jets 35-30 in the fourth quarter.