The Green Bay Packers shocked many of their own fans when they decided to re-sign running back AJ Dillon during the offseason. Last year was the final season of his rookie contract, and the 2020 second-round pick had the worst campaign of his career. Dillon ran for just 613 yards and averaged a woeful 3.4 yards per carry. All season long, it felt like he always struggled to power over defenders, a trait necessary in running backs like Dillon.
However, the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Door County” wanted to remain with Green Bay and signed a one-year $2.7 million contract that will count just $1.2 million against the salary cap. The extremely team-friendly deal ensured that he would remain on the team to provide depth to the running back position.
However, he is far from a lock to retain his role as the Packers’ backup running back.
The Green Bay Packers Revamped Their Running Back Room During the Offseason
Former Packers running back Aaron Jones had been the team’s primary running back for years. The franchise’s third all-time leading rusher, though, was released after he refused to take yet another pay cut to stay.
Hours before Jones’ release, the Packers had signed 2022 NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs to a four-year $48 million contract. With Jacobs in place as the primary back, Green Bay decided to bring Dillon back as a discounted price to allow some continuity and familiarity at the position.
With uncertainty regarding how well Dillon will perform in 2024 after the worst season of his career, the Packers decided to use their third-round pick on running back Marshawn Lloyd. They also have brought back Emanuel Wilson, who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent last year.
Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon Did Not Perform Well Against the Cleveland Browns
The Packers won their first preseason game of 2024 against the Cleveland Browns by the score of 23-10. Wilson received the majority of the carries, rushing 13 times for a team-leading 67 yards and a touchdown. Last preseason, Wilson led the entire NFL in rushing yards.
Jacobs, the team’s starting running back, did not play much, rushing once for seven yards.
Lloyd also received just one carry, but he was pulled from the game early with a hamstring injury. His one rushing attempt went for eight yards.
Dillon did not play much either but did get four rushing attempts early in the game. These carries were far from productive as he gained just two yards.
His performance elicited a strong response from fans on social media who wanted to see him released.
On Tuesday, Dillon fired back at those critics.
Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon Fires Back at Critics
Speaking at his locker after practice on Tuesday, Dillon was asked about fans who were hard on his performance against the Browns. He did not hold anything back in his reply.
#Packers RB AJ Dillon’s message for all @X “keyboard warriors”:
“I graded 98%, try to go out & do more than what I did — If you don’t live inside my house, your opinion is so secondary to me I couldn’t be bothered with it — you can’t do what we’re doing just enjoy & watch” pic.twitter.com/8PI1Y86MHU
— Cody Krupp (@CodyWKrupp) August 13, 2024
“I graded 98%, try to go out & do more than what I did — If you don’t live inside my house, your opinion is so secondary to me I couldn’t be bothered with it — you can’t do what we’re doing, just enjoy & watch,” Dillon said.
Many fans felt like Dillon’s job was in jeopardy following the game against Cleveland. However, with Lloyd’s injury, the former second-round pick will get plenty of more chances to redeem himself.
The Packers play the Broncos on Sunday.
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