Packers expected to re-sign AJ Dillon with unusual type of contract
The Green Bay Packers were not expected to re-sign AJ Dillon. Well, things change fast in the NFL. Three days after agreeing to a deal with Josh Jacobs and releasing Aaron Jones, the Packers are slated to bring Dillon back, according to Bleacher Report's NFL insider Jordan Schultz. According to Ian Rapoport, from NFL Network, […]
The Green Bay Packers were not expected to re-sign AJ Dillon. Well, things change fast in the NFL. Three days after agreeing to a deal with Josh Jacobs and releasing Aaron Jones, the Packers are slated to bring Dillon back, according to Bleacher Report's NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
According to Ian Rapoport, from NFL Network, AJ Dillon had received interest from the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Indianapolis Colts. However, the former second-round pick decided to stay with the Packers.
To keep Dillon around, the Packers' front office used a rare tool: The four-year qualifying offer, which is a kind of tender for free agents who spent at least the previous four years with the team.
What the tender is
The four-year qualifying contract is made for players who spent at least the previous four years with the team. It's a one-year contract, up to $1.45 million more than the minimum salary. In Dillon's case, it will be $2.575 million. Dillon would have to sign the offer, which he is expected to do.
The big advantage for the Packers is that not every dollar counts towards the salary cap, just the minimum salary. The rest of the salary is a CBA benefit, which Green Bay will pay, but that doesn't hit the cap.
Background
AJ Dillon was drafted by Green Bay in 2020, right after Jordan Love. He has been a backup since then, but the primary backup since his second season.
In 2023, Dillon had his least efficient season in the NFL, with 3.4 yards per carry. He finished the year with 613 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His best year was 2021, when he had 803 yards and five touchdowns, plus 313 receiving yards and two TDs.
Depth chart
Right now, the Packers have a comfortable situation at running back. Presumably, Josh Jacobs is the starter, with Dillon once again as the primary backup.
Emanuel Wilson got his exclusive-rights free agent tender, so he's back and potentially will be the running back three. The roster also has Ellis Merriweather, who finished last season on the Packers' practice squad.
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