Packers bring back AJ Dillon
The veteran running back had interest from the Colts and Cowboys.
By PackerAaron
From NFL Network:
Free-agent RB AJ Dillon is expected to re-sign with the #Packers pending a physical, per sources. pic.twitter.com/BwwSANBDQP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2024
Dillon had reported interest from teams like the Cowboys and Colts but returns to a Packers backfield where he will undoubtedly serve as a rotational piece with newly acquired Josh Jacobs.
While he started slowly in 2023, Dillon played well down the stretch prior to missing games toward the end of the year, including two solid performances in wins over the Lions and Chiefs.
After posting 1,116 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns (on 221 touches) in 2021, Dillon's output has been a bit disappointing the last few years. What has gone a bit under the radar is Dillon's solid work in the passing game the last two seasons, where he caught 34-of-37 targets in 2021 and 22-of-28 targets in 2023.
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Comments (28)
BA4Pack
March 14, 2024 at 05:54 pm
The Mayor is back!
Qoojo
March 14, 2024 at 06:13 pm
I liked them both (Jones and Dillon). Makes me happy that at least one them stayed.
CanPackFan
March 14, 2024 at 06:17 pm
I've always liked AJ in GB. Although, now we realty need a speed/elusive back like Jones was. I sure hope we can find one in the draft!
Do we still have a little cash for whatever left in the FA LB pool?
James1960
March 14, 2024 at 06:55 pm
That's an excellent question!
cdoemel
March 14, 2024 at 11:33 pm
Umm, there’s the draft?
Nordom
March 14, 2024 at 06:17 pm
He received a "4-year qualifying player benefit", which means he'll get paid $2.66 million in cash but only count $1.21 million against the cap (the veteran minimum for a player coming off their 4-year rookie contract). It's a nice little mechanism to help keep a low-level veteran on their original team when they can't find a better deal out on the market, and one of the very few ways that cash can get paid out to a player without incurring the equivalent cap hit.
In theory, more teams should really be using this benefit each year, but in practice, it's usually pretty difficult to find the right situation to do so.
MitchAnthony
March 14, 2024 at 06:24 pm
The goats on the roof of that Door County eatery are bouncing with joy.
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I'm rather hoping the investment isn't that large, but if it is - he plays up to the level expected of him. There should be a clause in this deal that mandates that everyone quits talking about the size of his thighs until the results are shown on the field. Count me in the group of people that is sick of hearing that noise when barely over 3 YPC is the on field result.
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Still hoping at least one good RB is taken in the draft.
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2024 at 08:27 am
Two should be drafted.
Slim11
March 14, 2024 at 06:27 pm
This isn't a surprise. He was allowed to test free agency. While the Colts and Cowboys showed "interest," his brief venture into free agency probably showed his value wasn't what he hoped it would be. That's beneficial to the team from the salary cap perspective and they now have a known depth piece at RB. Dillon showed value as a #2 RB and occasional starter but never as a long-term starter.
cdoemel
March 14, 2024 at 11:34 pm
And he’s a great guy
Starrbrite
March 14, 2024 at 07:02 pm
I’m with MitchAnthony-
I just read an article describing his awesome short yardage ability (and of course mentioning his thighs). I laughed out loud, for his size I believe he is an awful short yardage RB. Can he be a good tandem with Jacobs—I hope so.
Go Packers!!!
Tailstails
March 14, 2024 at 10:39 pm
Youch. I cringe when I see Pack line up in jumbo package and Dillon in backfield. I'd rather see us in 3rd and 3, than 3rd and 1, so we aren't in jumbo. We cannot punch the ball across first down markers in short yardage, especially with Dillon. Nice change of pace and decent on short passes, but disappointing when running short yardage situations.
Starrbrite
March 15, 2024 at 01:16 pm
Agree Tails
jannesbjornson
March 15, 2024 at 08:31 am
He should be used as a fullback and get in the short zones as a receiving threat to beat down on DBs and linebackers. He is not a short-area power back despite his size. Keep an open competition throughout Summer Session. Procure a couple more RBs from this draft with speed and quick feet.
PeteK
March 15, 2024 at 11:46 am
Yes, he needs to become the lead blocking fullback.
Starrbrite
March 15, 2024 at 01:16 pm
Well said jannes
splitpea1
March 14, 2024 at 08:03 pm
I said a long time ago that bringing Dillon back depended on the price...which doesn't get much better than this: a team-friendly, prove-it deal that is of little risk to the Packers. I like it.
By bringing Dillon back we keep our RB depth intact providing E. Wilson sticks around. So the pressure is off Gute to draft a back early, although he certainly could if he sees an opportunity he can't pass up.
Starrbrite
March 15, 2024 at 01:18 pm
All true Split—a good contract, allows flexibility in the draft, and gives depth in the backfield.
Matt
March 15, 2024 at 03:01 pm
That's right but team friendly is delicately said. Now he's as cheap as they go. The next step would be playing for free :)
Like many people here I am unsatisfied with his results, stats. I also thought that he will be this RB1b but it didn't happen. What is worth notice, there were moments in the season when he was really good. When there was no Jones, and we had our worse games I recall him being a solid point of our offense when we couldn't get things running. I think he performed better as a receiver which is funny.
Johnblood27
March 14, 2024 at 08:52 pm
like seeing AJ back, he is solid if unspectacular and good in the passing game - catch and pass block.
better IOL play will make him a better short yardage option. He was routinely hammered byb2 and 3 defenders in obvious short yd plays. not all his fault.
go go gutey!
Starrbrite
March 15, 2024 at 01:19 pm
True JB—not all his fault—mostly his fault.
Johnblood27
March 16, 2024 at 08:33 am
AJ is what he is.
Those that called him the next Earl Campbell either didn't see Earl Campbell or didn't see AJ.
AJ has similar size and measurables athletically, but his feet are sluggish and his leverage is nowhere near what Campbell displayed.
Take AJ for what he is and not where he stands in relation to "expectations" and he measures up just fine as a complementary player on a good, competitive team. Kinda like right where he is... don't worry... be happy!
BA4Pack
March 14, 2024 at 09:26 pm
Draft Brooks
4thand10
March 14, 2024 at 09:37 pm
Thank Gawd. All the hate he got last year. As a fan , I’m super happy he’s back. As a couch / Living room analyst…play action works really well when he is in the line up and it’s rare to see him run against a box that isn’t stacked. Then there is the whole Mayor of Door County thing.
https://youtu.be/eCIfzSbqo-E?si=IEUMAYOICK7oFCgE
Excited about Jacob’s as well.
MitchAnthony
March 14, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Yeah yeah yeah. I like the guy too, as a person. But for cri-i-i the way people talk about him, and the attributes of his lower appendages, he should be the second coming of Earl Campbell, and he's not. You'd expect him to absolutely be trucking the guys across the line. How many times have we seen a short yardage situation with him starting the snap almost ten yards behind the LOS and not getting it even with a head of steam?
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Maybe with some drafting of beasts for the OL things will get better there. I hope so. I too would like to see the running aspect of the offense get much better and see a much better season for AJ Dillon.
Guam
March 15, 2024 at 07:49 am
Clearly the price was right, but I was a bit surprised they resigned Dillon after signing a big back like Jacobs. Jacobs is more elusive than Dillon, but neither are speedsters. The Packers need to find some speed for their backfield - maybe Wilson is it or maybe they draft a RB, but they need more speed.
Bitternotsour
March 15, 2024 at 09:43 am
I'm guessing that the personnel decisions at running back are heavily (pun intended) influenced by LaFleur's time working with Derrick Henry in Tennessee. The Packers don't lack for speed, they have extremely quick motion guys in Reed and Melton, and Christian Watson is on another planet in regards to straight line speed.
Wilson is fast. He's the change of pace back.
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2024 at 11:42 am
How often does AJD get the hand off from the shotgun deep in the backfield from a dead stop? He has OK speed but not the quickness to accelerate to the hole.
He's better taking the handoff behind QB with a head of steam.