Ashton Jeanty Discusses Chip Kelly Wanting Him To Change Stance

In 2024, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty put forth one of the greatest seasons by any back in college football history. Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards, the second-most ever in a single season, along with 29 touchdowns. The Las Vegas Raiders believed in him enough to make him the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

But Jeanty also received a lot of attention for his unique pre-snap stance. Most backfield players squat down before the snap, similar to a basketball player in a defensive stance. But Jeanty is known to stand straight up, with his arms at his side, and many have compared him to horror movie icon Michael Myers.

But as he is set to begin his NFL career with the Raiders, his famous pre-snap stance won’t be continuing at least at the outset. Jeanty recently spoke on a conversation he had with Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly about why he wanted the back to change his stance, via Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

“You know, sometimes you have to, you know, go with the flow,” Jeanty said. “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.”

Jeanty proceeded to show Adams how he would defend in an athletic stance.

“And then he’s like, ‘That’s exactly why you have to be down in your running back stance,'”

For his part, Jeanty is fine with the change, at least for now, but isn’t ruling out a return down the road once he’s established himself in the NFL a bit more:

“He won for now. I’m going to try and persuade him one day,” he said. “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’s stance is undoubtedly different than any other back, but it has worked for him up to this point, and if that is what has brought him success, it seems unnecessary to change it. Kelly and the Raiders staff also want Jeanty to experience great success immediately, and as long as all are on the same page, that’s all that matters.

Raiders agree to four-year fully guaranteed deal with Ashton Jeanty

The Raiders have a lot of faith in Jeanty and what he can bring to this team immediately, and they showed that with the contract they have agreed to with the rookie running back.

Jeanty and the Raiders agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth just under $36 million, which includes a $22.7 million signing bonus.