The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 season with as much intrigue as any team in the league. With Ashton Jeanty stepping in as a highly drafted rookie running back and Brock Bowers coming off a record-setting debut season, the expectation was that the offense would take a major step forward. Instead, through three weeks, Las Vegas sits at 1-2, and the optimism has quickly turned into questions.
Maurice Jones-Drew Sounds Alarm on Vegas’ Offense
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Former Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew believes the root of the Raiders’ offensive issues isn’t Jeanty’s talent but the lack of balance around him.
“I think Jeanty’s situation is a lot different than the other guys. They don’t have a number one wide receiver out there. So guess what people are going to do? They are going to load the box,” Jones-Drew said on the 89 Podcast. “When your tight end is your number one, there is no one to push guys on the outside. So I’m happy that Trey Tucker had three touchdowns this week. Maybe that backed some guys off a little bit but everyone is trying to stop the run against Vegas. That’s all they want to do.”
Jones-Drew concluded, “I figured it was going to be tough for him going to Vegas because Vegas doesn’t have a number one wide receiver.”
The Numbers Behind Jeanty’s Slow Start
The early stat line tells a troubling story. Jeanty has 47 carries for 144 yards and a single touchdown, a far cry from the explosive production expected when he was drafted sixth overall. ESPN’s Ryan McFadden noted that against Washington, Jeanty was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 11 of his 17 attempts.
Levi Damien of Raiders Wire highlighted a telling stat: Jeanty has 144 total rushing yards, but 145 of them have come after contact. That means virtually all of his production has been earned by breaking tackles in the backfield rather than running through open lanes.
The offensive line’s struggles, particularly on the interior, have left little margin for error. Without consistent push up front, Jeanty has been forced to create on his own, a tough task for any rookie running back.
Supporting Cast Must Shoulder More Load
It isn’t only the offensive line under scrutiny. The Raiders’ passing attack has failed to draw defenders out of the box, allowing opponents to stack the run. Trey Tucker’s breakout against Washington — eight catches, 145 yards, and three touchdowns — was a bright spot, but coaches will need him and others, including Jakobi Meyers, Dont’e Thornton, and Jack Bech, to consistently punish defenses.
Until the wide receiver group proves capable of carrying the load, Jeanty and Bowers will continue to face suffocating defensive looks.
Brock Bowers Battling Through Injury
Bowers himself has yet to replicate his historic rookie campaign. After surpassing 100 yards in Week 1, he suffered a PCL sprain that has limited his explosiveness. In the last two games, he has totaled just nine catches for 76 yards.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay believes Bowers is still one of the most valuable tight ends in football despite the dip in numbers. “At his best, Bowers is a matchup nightmare who can blow past slower linebackers and use his 6’4″, 235-pound frame to outmuscle smaller defensive backs,” Kay wrote. “He remains Vegas’ best pass-catcher, but he currently only ranks second on the team in targets and receptions, third in receiving yards and is still seeking his first touchdown of 2025.”
Fantasy managers are already eyeing Bowers as a buy-low trade target, banking on his recovery to spark a turnaround.
What Comes Next for Las Vegas?
Head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly face a difficult task. They must find ways to manufacture cleaner running lanes for Jeanty, while also diversifying the passing attack to take pressure off both of their young stars.
Jeanty, who thrived at Boise State with heavy workloads, may also need more touches to settle in. His collegiate track record shows he’s at his best when he surpasses 20 carries in a game, something the Raiders have yet to consistently commit to.
For now, the hype has cooled in Las Vegas. But if the line improves and the supporting cast steps up, Jeanty and Bowers still have the talent to become one of the league’s most dynamic duos. The clock is already ticking heading into a Week 4 matchup with the Bears.