Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly are not on the same page when it comes to how Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty stands in the backfield before the snap. The offensive coordinator tried to get the first-round rookie to chance his stance upon arrival to the NFL but the head coach loved to see his star ball-carrier return to what he knows on Sunday.
It also just so happened to be Jeanty’s best game of the season.
I don’t know what happened at practice during the week for this change to come about so suddenly. However, this latest comment from Carroll directly contradicts what Kelly said during NFL training camp.
Ashton Jeanty stands like Michael Meyers.
The Heisman Trophy runner-up from last season was drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Raiders. Jeanty joined Las Vegas for minicamp.
Upon arrival, first-year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly tried to change the way he stands.
Ashton Jeanty, at only 5-foot-8, stands completely vertical in the backfield. He does not get in a “ready position” or an athletic stance. His pre-snap posture makes him look like Michael Myers in the Halloween movie series. It is ominous and terrifying. Especially when you know he is going to run right at you.
Kelly asked his running back to fix his stance back in May. Here is exactly how that discussion went down:
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
Jeanty went with the flow. He changed his stance at the request of his new coach for the first three games of the season.
Pete Carroll is glad to have him back.
Although Jeanty made the switch during wins over the Patriots and Commanders, and a loss to the Chargers, his numbers were less than impressive. He averaged 49 total yards and 0.3 touchdowns on 17.3 touches per game during the first three games of his rookie season.
And then it was off to the races on Sunday.
Ashton Jeanty went back to his old stance against the Chicago Bears. He stood like Michael Myers.
The Raiders ultimately lost to the Bears by one point but their running back finally got it figured out. Jeanty finished with 155 total yards and three touchdowns during the best game of his young career.
(Via locknfll/TT) pic.twitter.com/58087GZvD3
— PEP (@pahrduve) September 29, 2025
Pete Carroll spoke about the return of the Michael Myers stance after the game. He loved it.
What did Chip Kelly think?