Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly expressed that it was running backs coach Deland McCullough who advised rookie Ashton Jeanty to modify his backfield stance. "I didn't tell anybody on this team to be in any stances because I don't coach positions," Kelly stated during a press conference on Thursday.

Jeanty shared that Kelly approached him about changing his stance during a May appearance on Up & Adams. The rookie recalled, "What's crazy is, Chip Kelly comes to me first day of rookie minicamp, and he's like 'You ever play basketball?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I play basketball, you know I can dunk and all that.' He's like, 'OK, show me how you would guard me,' and he's acting like he's holding the ball. Then he's like, 'That's exactly why you have to be down in your running back stance.'" Having utilized a more upright stance throughout his collegiate career at Boise State, Jeanty was selected by the Raiders as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The 21-year-old confirmed his willingness to adapt his stance in response to the coaching staff's request, while leaving the option open for a potential return to his previous stance in the future. "I have to earn my stripes and make some plays first, but I don't think it's going to be the end [of the stance]," Jeanty noted on Up & Adams. Following a standout junior season with the Broncos in 2024, where he finished second in Heisman Trophy voting with 2,601 rushing yards on 374 attempts and 30 total touchdowns, Jeanty has shown remarkable ability to break tackles and evade defenders, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Despite not being the principal influence behind Jeanty's adjustment, Kelly noted his admiration for the young running back's skill set, stating, "He's awesome and he's such a coachable guy that you can do a lot of things with him. I think he can play in the slot, he can play in the backfield, he can do a lot of different things. He's special." Jeanty aims to enhance a Raiders offense that struggled with the worst rushing attack in the NFL last season.