Klint Kubiak’s run game will need an explosive duo to carry the offense this Las Vegas Raiders campaign, luckily for him he might already have it.
The new offense set to take off in 2026 will rely heavily on its ability to open running lanes and give Kubiak’s backs a chance to succeed. On Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals, there were signs of what could be to come. Focusing strictly on the ground game, Jeanty saw limited action, which was a smart decision given what we already know he’s capable of. The real concern was the depth behind him.
One fourth-round rookie answered the call and likely positioned himself to become the RB2 in Kubiak’s system. Of course, we’re referring to Mike Washington Jr.
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Washington’s highlight reel play of 53 yards has made its way around social media and rightfully so. Playing against many Cardinals defenders that’ll be starters in Week 1, Washington displayed the burst and downfield speed that’s made him such a draft steal.
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While it would be easy to dismiss all of this as preseason hype, the fact is that Washington looked impressive in an actual game setting. As previously stated, the quickness was there, along with the decisiveness and, more importantly, the willingness to impose his will. Washington wasn’t about to waste the opportunity.
Some credit should definitely go to the new regime. It’s obvious there are actual coaches in Henderson now. It would be easy to dunk on Pete Carroll and Co., but we can’t ignore that Kubiak is coming off a Super Bowl victory, having led an offense and offensive line that emphasized and executed some brilliant concepts. It’s miles ahead of what the Raiders tried to create last season.
It will be interesting to see how much playing time Washington earns moving forward and whether he can ultimately seal the deal and enter the regular-season opener as Jeanty’s clear backup.
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*Top Photo: Getty Images