Green Bay Packers Shockingly Re-Sign Offensive Starter Thought to Gone in Free Agency
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks about defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley during a press conference Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers are going through quite a bit of transition this offseason. 2021-23 defensive coordinator Joe Barry is out, former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley is in. Darnell Savage will be suiting up for the Jacksonville Jaguars for the next three seasons, but stud safety Xavier McKinney is committed to the Green and Gold for the next four. Josh Jacobs will be the premier back for the Packers after signing a four-year $48 million with them on Thursday.
Unfortunately, that also means that the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher, Aaron Jones, is no longer with the team. He signed a deal with Green Bay’s hated division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. With big questions surrounding who would be Jacobs’ backup, the Packers decided to turn to a familiar face, one many presumed gone when the season ended: AJ Dillon.
The Green Bay Packers Are Re-Signing Running Back AJ Dillon
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) against the Kansas City Chiefs during their football game Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Tom Peliserro of NFL Network reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the Packers had reached an agreement to bring their 2020 second round pick back for the 2024 season.
When the 2023 season ended, many assumed that it would be Jones, not Dillon, suiting up for the Packers next season. However, Jones was not willing to take the 50% pay cut the front office wanted him to in order to save money on the salary cap, so he was released.
With more and more free agent running backs coming off of the market, the Packers decided that it would be best to have a veteran who knows their offense as Jacobs’ running mate.
Could the Best Be Yet to Come for AJ Dillon?
Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) poses for a photo after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In 2020, Jones and Dillon became one of the few pairs of running backs to put together over 1,000 yards from scrimmage each in a season. In 2021, which many consider to be a down year for Dillon, he fell short of the 1,000 all-purpose yards mark by just 24 yards. Last season, he had just 836 all-purpose yards, leading many to believe he would not be re-signed.
One must remember, though, what the Packers offense was going through in each of the previous two seasons. In 2022, they were playing their first year with Davante Adams and had Allen Lazard as their number one wide receiver. Additionally, they were working in rookie wide receivers that Rodgers simply refused to work with at times, creating an issue with chemistry on the field.
Last season was Jordan Love’s first year as a starter, and while the offense took a step forward towards the end of the year, it was not pretty for a large part of the year. Dillon, in particular, was forced to start more games than he should have with Jones out with three different injuries at various points of the year.
Presumably, Dillon getting a true backup share of the carries will only make him more effective, especially after defenders have been bruised by Jacobs.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
Our Partners
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker.
Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
