Packers are not expected to re-sign RB AJ Dillon
The running back talk around the Green Bay Packers on Friday night is the Aaron Jones' situation, with the team wanting to reduce the starter's cap hit in 2024. But that's not the only important piece of information in Tom Silverstein's report for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The team is also willing to let AJ […]
The running back talk around the Green Bay Packers on Friday night is the Aaron Jones' situation, with the team wanting to reduce the starter's cap hit in 2024. But that's not the only important piece of information in Tom Silverstein's report for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The team is also willing to let AJ Dillon walk in free agency.
"The Packers aren't expected to re-sign free agent A.J. Dillon and so 2023 undrafted free agent Emanuel Wilson is the only option to handle a bulk load. With at least 11 selections (including an estimated three compensatory picks), it’s likely the Packers will address the position somewhere in the draft."
According to A to Z Sports' contract projection, Dillon is expected to receive a one-year, $3 million deal in free agency. However, after an underwhelming season in 2023, Dillon might be headed elsewhere.
"Dillon is a respectable talent, but the grim reality of the nonexistent market for Tier 2 or 3 running backs basically wipes his immediate earning potential. AJ is young enough to not risk getting suckered into a low-number, two-year deal before turning 26; recognizing his limited market in 2024 and accepting a slight discount to play for the right organization could give Dillion a chance to shine once again and set himself up for a more lucrative offseason in 2025."
Dillon was a second-round pick by the Packers in 2020, one year before Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams were both expected to hit the open market. In 2021, Williams in fact left and signed with the Detroit Lions, but Jones extended with the Packers on a four-year contract.
With that decision, Dillon ended up not being the primary option at running back throughout his rookie deal. He started 11 games, including six in 2023 when Jones got hurt, but the difference in production was obvious.
In 2023, Aaron Jones had 4.6 yards per carry. Even though it was tied to the worst average of his NFL career, the number was still much better than Dillon's, who had 3.4 yards per carry.
Throughout his first four NFL seasons, Dillon averaged 4.1 yards per carry — 2,428 yards in 597 attempts. In 15 games last year, the running back had two rushing touchdowns.
Depth
At this exact moment, Aaron Jones is the only running back on the Packers roster. However, Emanuel Wilson is an exclusive-rights free agent and will probably be back with the team, and they also signed Ellis Merriweather, who finished the season on the practice squad, to a futures deal.
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