AJ Dillon is sticking in Green Bay after all. Following plenty of speculation that the running back could be playing elsewhere in 2024, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Dillon is expected to re-sign with the Packers.
[RELATED: Packers Expected To Sign RB Josh Jacobs]
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport clarifies that the organization used the “rare” four-year qualifying offer to retain Dillon. This deal allowed the Packers to retain Dillon, and they’ll owe him $1.35MM more than his five-year minimum salary (h/t Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). That would mean Dillon is attached to a $2.6MM deal for the 2024 campaign.
Dillon played sparingly as a rookie, but he’s seen a consistent role on the Packers’ offense over the past three years. The team rolled with the Dillon/Aaron Jones duo for each of those three seasons, but the team’s sudden decision to pivot to Josh Jacobs put the two-headed monster’s Green Bay future in doubt. The team already cut Jones, and Dillon’s free agency made it seem like he wasn’t going to return to the Packers.
Even before the start of free agency, there were rumblings that Dillon wouldn’t be back in Green Bay. As a result, a handful of suitors started to line up for the former second-round pick’s services. We learned yesterday that Dillon was eyeing deals with the Cowboys, Giants, and Colts, and Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report notes that the RB garnered interest from at least two teams.
Instead, Dillon will return to the only NFL team he’s ever played for. Despite generally seeing the same number of touches over the past three seasons, Dillon’s numbers have dropped. After peaking with 1,116 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns (on 221 touches) in 2021, Dillon was limited to only 836 yards from scrimmage and two scores (on 200 touches) in 2023, and that was despite the fact that he started a career-high six games this past season. Despite the downtick in counting stats, Pro Football Focus still ranked Dillon 22nd among 59 qualifying running backs in 2023.
Dillon will likely see a similar role on offense in 2024, although he’ll now be playing behind one of the league’s top workhorse RBs. Still, Jacobs missed at least one game in each of his five seasons with the Raiders, so Dillon will likely be called on to lead the running backs room at some point next year.
Is it because he’s the Mayor of Door County? Like the guy but he certainly wasn’t good…
Same. They could draft a similar type guy in the 6th round probably and save some money. But they’ll probably repeat the approach they took when they picked him..by reaching for B Allen in the 2nd round and we’ll see him lumber for 2 ypc for the next 3 years.
I think they are going to look for a change-of-pace back since Jacobs is a more powerful runner.
I’m betting they still draft a RB anyway in the late rounds and he will eventually replace Dillon next year. This is a 1 year stop gap option. (They can release him anytime and take no cap hit.)
In B4 Macbeth has a heart attack lol
Devastating.
But I’ll root for him either way.
I am going to be a homer and talk myself into thinking he will have a major impact this year.
In all seriousness it isn’t the worst signing. I wish we got someone with more fineness, but a guy who knows the system isn’t the worst thing. Hoping to see more of his 2nd and 3rd years than his 1st or 4th.
Also, he is a super good person, just don’t care for his football playing ability.
Is this deal rarer than the UFA tender Markus Golden signed with the Giants a few years ago?
I get the pessimism and negative comments. His numbers have been down and it does look like he takes a hit and just falls forward. The O-line just isn’t as good as it was, and the dude takes that hit at the line now instead of at the linebacker level where he could drag one or two of those dudes for a few extra. He’s still a big fella and knows the schemes, so they can’t just draft a guy and expect that dude to do much better right away. I do expect them to pick a RB in the mid rounds though. Focus will probably be on OL, linebacker and a safety/corner type, but they also like to take the highest talent regardless of position, so it depends on where they fall.
I can’t quite buy the idea Dillon struggled last year because the line was bad, when I not only witnessed Aaron Jones slicing his way to 5 straight 100+ yard games to end his time as a Packer, but also seeing so many “fans” support the RB1 switch by claiming Jones is washed.
Sorry I just don’t get it, I really hope this doesn’t stop Packers from drafting a young RB with some actual juice this April. Dillon is simply too slow to the hole and not powerful enough to make up for it, I hope this is just “just in case signing” because Dillon has no business being a major part of this offense at any price
Dillon will get all the 3rd and 2 carries..resulting in 4th and 1’s.
Dillon must have some untapped potential for shoveling snow from the stadium parking lot. He’ll be basically useless on the field.
Pre-season sleeper that ends up on the wire in every league…every season.