The Green Bay Packers Not Expected to Re-Sign their Free Agent Running Back.
The Green Bay Packers have approximately $14 million in cap space and will continue to make moves to free up cap space to sign players to extensions or to sign free agents.
Green Bay has 16 free agents this offseason and cannot retain all of them, including their running back who will likely sign with another team.
The Green Bay Packers are not expected to re-sign their fourth-year running back.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Green Bay is not expected to re-sign A.J. Dillon, who will be an unrestricted free agent.
Dillon has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career.
Green Bay drafted A.J. Dillon in the 2nd round, 62nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the team has had mixed results.
Dillion had a quiet rookie year, playing in only 14% of offensive snaps because he was the third-string running back behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, and missed five games because of COVID-19. Dillon rushed for 242 yards on 46 attempts (2 TDS) and had two receptions for 21 yards during the regular season. He also rushed for 44 yards on nine attempts and had one reception for 13 yards in two playoff games.
Dillon had his best statistical season in his second year because Williams departed in free agency, resulting in him splitting reps with Jones at 43%. Dillon rushed for 803 yards on 187 attempts (5 TDS) and had 34 receptions for 313 yards (2 TDS) during the regular season. He also had 25 yards on seven attempts (1 TD) in the Divisional Round. However, he fractured a rib in the 3rd quarter and missed the remainder of the game.
Dillon had another solid season in his third year, splitting reps with Jones at 49%. Dillon rushed for 770 yards on 186 attempts (7 TDS) and had 28 receptions for 206 yards.
Dillon’s role increased to 51% in his fourth year because Jones missed six games because of a hamstring injury and an MCL sprain. However, Dillon struggled to fill in for Jones as he had his lowest yards per attempt in his career and had difficulty maintaining his balance. Dillon rushed for 613 yards on 178 attempts (2 TDS) and had 22 receptions for 223 yards. He suffered a broken thumb in Week 14 and missed Week 15. He then suffered a stinger injury in Week 17 and missed Week 18, the Wild Card, and the Divisional Round.
Who will be Dillon’s replacement?
Emanuel Wilson has a chance to be A.J. Dillon’s replacement, but there is a chance Green Bay signs one in free agency or the draft, as they have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
