Over the course of his seven-year NFL career, free agent linebacker Jaylon Smith has been around a lot of players. Some of them, such as quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are legitimate superstars.
Also among that group are Pro Bowlers, All-Pros and future Hall of Famers. He’s seen how some of the best work behind the scenes and he’s seen what ultimately leads to failure.
When it comes to New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, Smith has a high opinion.
“He’s a guy that you want in your foxhole. He’s going to go to bat for you… When he has confidence, man, he can light it up.”@thejaylonsmith on Daniel Jones
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— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 6, 2023
“I was in the sauna with DJ every single morning and it was just talking a lot. He would ask a lot of questions — about games, about leadership, about what success feels like in the National Football League,” Smith said. “What I’ve learned from him is he’s a worker worker. He’s a guy that you want in your foxhole. He’s going to go to bat for you.”
Smith said he witnessed firsthand Jones’ growth and confidence in 2022 and believes that things will only get better from here.
“When he has confidence, man… He can light it up,” Smith said. “We nicknamed him ‘Vanilla Vick’ because he got to show off his feet a lot last year. I expect that to continue headed into this season, for sure.”
Although many public figures and fans are routinely critical of Jones, he continues to win over anyone who plays alongside him or sees him work behind the scenes. Smith is not the exception, he’s the rule.
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