Ashton Jeanty Opens Up: Will the Cowboys’ Defense Be His Biggest Challenge Yet?

So, here we are, caught in the swirling storm of an NFL trade deadline that’s seen the Dallas Cowboys shuffle their defense like a deck of cards with Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams stepping in as the new heavy hitters. It’s a bold play, no doubt, a clear signal they’re not just satisfied with status quo—they want a comeback, a turnaround before the season slips through their fingers. But here’s the kicker: the first big test after these changes is none other than Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, a guy whose rookie year has been far from the fairy tale expected from the sixth overall pick. Jeanty’s candid take on facing this revamped defense—acknowledging their new beef but still sniffing out “places to attack”—invites a tantalizing question. Can a rookie, still finding his footing amid offensive line woes and coaching critiques, exploit just enough cracks in a suddenly fortified Dallas front? Or will this be the game where the Cowboys’ defensive gambit finally delivers the sting they desperately need? Buckle up, because in this matchup, strategy and raw grit are about to collide in ways that could rewrite the narrative for both teams.

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 06: Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 06, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. — (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys made some big moves at the trade deadline. They added two strong run-stoppers in LB Logan Wilson and DT Quinnen Williams to fix their main defensive issue. Clearly, they still believe they can turn the season around.

Notably, the first step will be against a team with a promising running back who has struggled to establish the run all year. That’s why, when asked about the upcoming matchup, Las Vegas Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty had a candid response:

“They got some great players. They just added Quinnen Williams on the interior. I’m sure that’ll level up their front. It’s a good all-around team. There’s definitely places we can attack them and make great plays. They’ve made some changes, so we’ll prepare for that,” Jeanty said.

"There's definitely places we can attack them."

Asked about the Cowboys defense he'll face on MNF, #Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty says, 'They just added Quinnen Williams on the interior. I'm sure that'll level up their front… They've made some changes so we'll prepare for that." pic.twitter.com/7TbAV4RXUP

— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) November 11, 2025

The Raiders’ offense has failed to get anything going with Geno Smith at the helm. The offensive line hasn’t played well, and head coach Pete Carroll has repeatedly called out offensive coordinator Chip Kelly for the team’s inability to establish the run.

Jeanty has been fairly disappointing as a rookie, all things considered. He was the No. 6 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, yet he hasn’t been as dominant. Again, that may have something to do with his team’s overall struggles.

On paper, the Cowboys’ defense should be just what the doctor ordered for the rookie out of Boise State to have the best game of his young career. Still, with Wilson and Williams out there, that may not be the case anymore.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will be under a lot of pressure to fix that defense before it’s too late. With that in mind, he will certainly look to make a statement against Jeanty coming out of the bye week.

The post Ashton Jeanty Reveals Thoughts On Facing Cowboys Defense appeared first on The Cold Wire.