The Raiders have a star in Ashton Jeanty — but Klint Kubiak isn’t about to run him into the ground.
Las Vegas is planning something bigger than a one-man show.
Klint Kubiak Sends Clear Message: Ashton Jeanty Won’t Carry Raiders Alone in 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders may have found a cornerstone in Ashton Jeanty — but new head coach Klint Kubiak is making one thing crystal clear: this offense won’t revolve around exhausting its brightest star.
Speaking about the team’s 2026 plans, Kubiak revealed a strategic shift that signals both caution and ambition. Jeanty won’t be asked to shoulder the entire running game. Instead, the Raiders are actively searching for a “wingman” — a second back capable of forming what Kubiak calls a true “two-man show.”
“It’s a long season,” Kubiak explained. “You don’t want to put all the carries and targets on one guy.”
That statement says more than it appears to.
Jeanty has been one of the few bright spots for a Raiders team coming off a brutal three-win season. His explosiveness and versatility made him the centerpiece of the offense. But behind him? Very little security.
Last year, his backups were Raheem Mostert and Zamir White — both set to hit free agency next month. The only other running back on the roster, Dylan Laube, logged just seven carries for nine yards all season.
That’s not depth. That’s a warning sign.
And Kubiak sees it.
Fresh off a Super Bowl run as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, Kubiak understands the wear-and-tear reality of modern NFL offenses. Even elite backs struggle when overused. Injuries pile up. Efficiency dips. Defensive coordinators adjust.
If the Raiders are serious about rebuilding — and competing — they need sustainability, not just star power.
So now, the front office is scanning everything: the draft board, free agency, and even internal options. The mission? Find Jeanty’s complementary force. A runner who can absorb meaningful carries, protect the investment, and keep defenses guessing.
This isn’t just about rest. It’s about structure.
A two-back system changes the tempo of a game. It allows for situational specialization. It opens creative formations. It extends careers. And for a franchise trying to build a new identity under Kubiak, it signals long-term thinking instead of short-term desperation.
The Raiders haven’t secured that wingman yet — but the urgency is real.
With free agency approaching and the draft looming, this offseason could quietly determine whether Las Vegas’ ground attack becomes a strength or another question mark.
Kubiak isn’t gambling on a one-man highlight reel.
He’s building a backfield partnership — and betting that balance will outlast burnout.
The message from Las Vegas is simple:
Ashton Jeanty is the star.
But the Raiders are writing a duet.
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