With the 62nd overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon has garnered a lot of support from the public ever since his selection. Fans have adored him for everything, from his play on the field to his demeanor off it. Additionally, he has grown to be an extremely important member of the Green Bay offense, particularly this season given Aaron Jones’ numerous ailments.
Dillon is a vital component of the offense and a fan favorite, but it looks like his time with the Packers is running out.
It appeared in a recent piece by Matt Schneidman of the Athletic that the Packers might be getting ready to let Dillon go. This would be a wise decision because Dillon will be a free agency following the 2023 NFL season, and it might not be worth the money to re-sign him.
Although he’s not quite your standard feature back, Dillon has established himself as a reliable No. 2 running back. Through the draft, the Packers can select a new No. 2 pick at a lower cost, and that player may trail Jones in the depth chart for a year before taking over as the starting leadback in 2025.
What Does The Future Hold For The Packers At Running Back?
The NFL’s running back market has entirely collapsed in the past few years. Due to financial concerns, a number of elite running backs have been released, traded, or almost traded.
Dillon will demand a significantly greater salary from the Packers than a rookie would. Because he fits well in Matt LaFleur’s playbook, the team might decide to keep him, but it seems much more likely that they would select a young guy and give him a rookie contract. Dillon would then be heading out of town.
In relation to Jones, there have been rumors that he could potentially be a cap casualty. Some speculate that if Jones’ price is good, the Packers may try to trade him this offseason.
The Packers may try to add a running back early in the 2024 NFL Draft, as Schneidman indicated. The following season, that running back would rank second behind Jones, and in 2025, Green Bay would let Jones to go in free agency.
Remember that earlier this year, the Packers played a major role in trade talks involving Jonathan Taylor, the top back for the Indianapolis Colts. It was obvious that they were considering making significant changes to the running back lineup. This season, Dillon has done ok but not outstanding, and Jones has missed
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