In 2023, the Green Bay Packers began a new offensive era, and it now appears that one of the main players who survived the
changeover is also on the way out.
Last week, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel revealed that following A.J. Dillon’s official entry into free agency on
March 13, Green Bay will part ways with the running back.
On March 1, Silverstein said, “The Packers aren’t likely to re-sign free agent A.J. Dillon, so Emanuel Wilson, a free agent in 2023 who
isn’t drafted, might be the only option to handle a bulk load.” “It’s likely the Packers will address the position somewhere in the draft
with at least 11 selections (including an estimated three compensatory picks).”
With the exception of his rookie year, Dillon, a 2020 Boston College prospect selected in the second round, had the poorest season of
his four-year NFL career in 2023.
Dillon’s performance this season may have led to a new deal as the starting quarterback for the Packers, but instead he finished with
613 rushing yards at a rate of 3.4 yards per carry, just 2 touchdowns, and his lowest totals since the 2020 campaign.
In the two prior seasons combined, the running back accumulated 1,573 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground (a total of 14
touchdowns); in those campaigns, he averaged 4.3 and 4.1 yards per attempt, respectively.
Last season, Dillon spent the remaining months of his four-year rookie contract, which was worth a total of $5.2 million. The fact that
Green Bay is unwilling to bring Dillon back after four years of service, much of it of high quality, is indicative of the team’s perception
of his future. Spotrac forecasts his market value at just $3.5 million on a new one-year contract.
Furthermore, the organization will pay almost the same amount over a four-year period to a running back chosen in the later rounds
as Dillon will in 2024 alone.
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