Raiders have to hope Ashton Jeanty’s offseason transformation doesn’t mirror a familiar cautionary tale
The Las Vegas Raiders hope Ashton Jeanty is still the explosive athlete he was and can carry the workload in 2026.
The Las Vegas Raiders are watching Ashton Jeanty post offseason workout pictures that show the running back in phenomenal shape, and while that’s encouraging, Raiders fans have seen this movie before. The question is whether the ending will be different this time around.
We all remember when former Raiders running back Zamir White showed up to training camp looking absolutely ripped and jacked. Pictures circulated all offseason of White working out, bulking up, and looking like a completely different player. Everyone assumed it meant a breakout year was coming. It never did. White turned in one of the worst seasons by a running back in the NFL that year.
Now Jeanty is the one posting workout photos, and he looks like one of the strongest running backs in the league despite his smaller frame. Las Vegas could certainly use that kind of physicality, especially given the expectation that the Raiders will run the ball frequently under this new offense.
The comparison only goes so far
To be clear, the two players are nowhere near the same caliber. Jeanty is a generational talent. White was a roster piece. But the concern isn’t about talent level. It’s about what added muscle mass can do to a running back who relies on speed and lateral quickness.
Jeanty’s game is built on his ability to execute quick jump cuts, burst through holes, and create separation as a receiver. He caught a significant number of passes last season, including the deep touchdown against the Houston Texans. Those plays require the kind of speed and agility that can erode when a player adds too much bulk. If the added muscle slows Jeanty down even slightly, it could take away the traits that make him special.
There’s no real reason to panic
The good news is that Jeanty appears to be in the best shape of his career. He’ll have help in the backfield from rookie RB Mike Washington, who is sharing some of the workload. He’ll be operating in the best offense he’s ever played in under coach Klint Kubiak, and he should have a legitimate starting quarterback throwing him the ball this time around.
All of those factors point toward a massive season for the former first-round pick. The Raiders brought Jeanty in to be a foundational piece of this offense, and everything around him is set up for him to thrive.
What we know for certain is that Jeanty has gotten stronger. The Raiders just have to hope that strength hasn’t come at the cost of the speed and explosiveness that made him one of the best running back prospects in recent draft history.