Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty admitted that pressure and a desire to prove himself contributed to a less impactful rookie season than anticipated.
Drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty carried significant expectations that he felt affected his performance. "I think I was a little bit too in my head. Feeling the pressure, feeling like I needed to prove something always," Jeanty said in a YouTube Q&A interview published Tuesday.
During his rookie campaign, Jeanty rushed for 975 yards on 266 carries, scoring five touchdowns. While not poor statistics on their own, they fell short of the lofty expectations tied to his draft position.
Jeanty stated his intention for his second season is to focus on enjoying the game and being a better teammate. "But this year, just going out there, just having fun. It’s just football, you know? Not putting too much pressure on myself, and being the best teammate I can be; bringing the guys together more; being the best version of myself, so that I can make the team better," he explained. He believes this approach will allow him to achieve personal goals and contribute to the team's success.
The Raiders have made efforts to bolster the offensive support for Jeanty heading into the 2026 season. The team used the No. 1 pick in the recent draft on quarterback Fernando Mendoza and signed star center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year deal, moves expected to improve the offensive line and benefit Jeanty's performance.