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Ashton Jeanty Details First Impression of Raiders QB Geno Smith: Exclusive

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Austin C. Boyd | Last updated May 27, 2025 1:41 PM ET

Ashton Jeanty has only been a Las Vegas Raider for a brief time, but it hasn't taken long for quarterback Geno Smith to make an impression. The team traded for the former NFL Comeback Player of the Year this offseason and gave him a huge contract extension, but that hasn't hurt his work ethic.

Jeanty has had a chance to work with Smith in several practices already, and the biggest thing that's stuck out to him is how hard the quarterback works.

"He's a hard worker," Jeanty told Athlon Sports when asked about what he's made of Smith so far. "He's there early in the morning, one of the earliest guys there, getting his body ready, going through his process to get ready for practice, staying late. And then on the field, he's just a great player. He runs the offense the way it's supposed to be run, goes through his reads, makes great passes, great player. He's got some juice on the ball when he throws it."

Smith went seven straight years where he didn't start more than three games in a season between 2015 and 2021. The biggest reason he was ready to play well once he got a starting job again was due to that work ethic.

It's clearly sticking out to young players like Jeanty, who should be working very closely with the quarterback for years to come.

Though his career is young, Jeanty was named Sharpie’s 2025 “Rookies of the Year” back in February. He has used a Sharpie S-Gel pen for all of his major signatures this offseason. He had a chance to speak about the partnership.

"Sharpie, being one of the most elite pens, and me, being one of the most elite running backs, it made sense for us to collaborate," Jeanty said. "Signing my contract was one of the biggest moments of my life, so to sign it with the Sharpie S-Gel pen, with my own signature pen, is amazing."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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