AJ Dillon, drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has proven himself as a reliable contributor for the team. Over his initial four seasons in the NFL, the former Boston College player has accumulated 2,428 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Despite making three playoff appearances with the Packers, he was sidelined in 2023 due to injuries. As his rookie contract approaches its end, Dillon is poised to enter free agency this offseason, prompting the Packers to address his status sooner rather than later. Should Dillon part ways with Green Bay, he is likely to draw significant interest from other teams in the upcoming summer.
Matt LaFleur prefers to keep both AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones
If given the choice, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur would prefer to retain both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon for the upcoming season. However, he acknowledged the feasibility of this scenario might be challenging. LaFleur emphasized Dillon’s value to the team and the necessity of having multiple running backs in the league due to the physical toll of the position. Despite expressing his desire to keep Dillon on the team, LaFleur recognized the financial constraints, particularly Aaron Jones’s significant $17.6 million cap hit in 2024 with an $11.1 million base salary. Given these limitations, the Packers may only be able to afford to retain one of the two running backs. With general manager Brian Gutekunst likely leaning towards keeping Aaron Jones, it appears that AJ Dillon’s tenure with the Packers is likely coming to an end.
AJ Dillon linked with a move to AFC North
As AJ Dillon’s departure from Green Bay appears inevitable, speculation abounds regarding his next destination. CBS Sports has suggested that the 25-year-old running back could be a good fit for the Baltimore Ravens’ run-heavy offensive scheme.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports mentioned, “The experienced and robust player could see an expanded role in Green Bay depending on Aaron Jones’ future, but Jones has demonstrated greater value. How about a return to Dillon’s hometown of Baltimore, where he could serve as a short-yardage option?”
Alternatively, another potential landing spot for Dillon is with the Cleveland Browns. With Nick Chubb still recovering from a knee injury, Dillon could step in to shoulder the workload in the interim. Additionally, he would provide a reliable second option even after Chubb’s return.
