The New York Jets haven't exactly established themselves as a defense opposing offenses fear, at least not yet, but if this doesn't fuel them, you may want to check their pulse. Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is taking his assessment a step further.
Ahead of Sunday's matchup at MetLife Stadium
, he questioned whether some members of head coach Aaron Glenn's defense actually want to tackle.Don't restart your devices or adjust those desktop monitors. You read that correctly. Yes.... That's exactly what he said. Jeanty made his feelings known while discussing the possibility of getting Las Vegas' running game back on track against New York.
"Yeah, I think we can definitely get the run game going this week. Get back on track. A couple
guys out there for the Jets that don't really want to tackle, but I'm not going to say names," Jeanty said.
#Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty on facing the #Jets defense this week:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 29, 2026
"Yeah. I think we can definitely get the run game going. Get back on track. ... A couple guys out there that don't really want to tackle, but I'm not going to say names." 😳 pic.twitter.com/ySSn53MpMC
Sure, New York has struggled to consistently get stops, particularly against the run, and that has left plenty of room for criticism. However, questioning a defense's willingness to tackle is a different matter entirely. Rather than pointing out X's and O's, he, in essence, questioned the toughness of some alpha males. That goes beyond discussing schematic evaluation.
Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker was asked about thisduring his recent media availability. He doesn't appear particularly concerned about what the Raiders' running back said.
"I've got plenty of confidence in our guys," Duke said.
Demario Davis responded as well.
"It's called bulletin board material. Nothing other than that. I'm big on, the game is played inside the white lines," Davis said.
"It's called bulletin board material. Nothing other than that. I'm big on, the game is played inside the white lines."
— SNY Jets (@snyjets) October 29, 2026
- Demario Davis on Ashton Jeanty's comments https://t.co/XEjzmOTskf pic.twitter.com/wJSpahZw1u
The criticism isn't entirely without statistical context. New York has a 12.9% missed tackle rate. That ranks 21st in the NFL, and they have been particularly vulnerable against the run since Week 3. During that stretch, the Jets have allowed a league-worst 9.2 rushing first downs per game.
Jeanty faces an interesting challenge now in Week 8.
The Raiders have struggled to establish the run during their four-game losing streak, averaging just 55.8 rushing yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry since Week 4. Jeanty has averaged just 3.1 yards per attempt himself, ranking last among 27 running backs with at least 70 carries.
Jeanty has publicly questioned New York's commitment to tackling. Now he'll have an opportunity to test that belief against the Jets, whose defense needs to give him considerably more resistance than the Raiders' recent rushing numbers suggest he has faced elsewhere.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets defense responds to criticism from Raiders' Ashton Jeanty
