Rex Ryan used to coach the Jets, so it makes sense that he would defend his former team. But Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty didn't exactly give himself the benefit of the doubt.
In the lead-up to the Raiders' Week 8 matchup with the Jets, Jeanty told reporters that there were a few players on the Jets defense who don't like to tackle. He didn't want to name names, but the Raiders running back predicted a big day.
Jeanty — who only has one rushing touchdown this season on 3.1 yards per carry — played sparingly and had just one carry in the first half. He wasnot listed on the injury report. Given Jeanty's struggles, Ryan didn't hold back when it came to criticizing Jeanty for taking shots at the Jets.
The message was simple: Jeanty should worry
about his own play first.
Rex Ryan torches Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown. 🏈🔥 pic.twitter.com/GtFmqd5C0V
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2026
Ryan said:
“This guy’s soft as Charmin. ... I’m going to tell you something. I’m going to talk to this kid before the game. … I’m going right up to him and I say, ‘Listen, young man. I heard what you said. And I want you to know something. We are not going to try to take you out of the game.'”
“Why? Because you are horrible. You are about the worst draft pick of the last 20 years, I think, as a running back. You stink. You’re averaging 3.1 yards a carry.”
You just can't give an opponent bulletin-board material like that if you're not willing to back it up. That's a lesson that Jeanty will need to learn.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rex Ryan justifiably called out Ashton Jeanty for his comments about the Jets defense
