Since taking over in 2019, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has stressed the run game. Even before his first game as the head coach, he talked about the importance of a sound rushing attack. His belief is that a good ground game opens up the passing attack. That philosophy helped propel quarterback Aaron Rodgers to his third NFL MVP award. However, it appears the Packers rushing attack will have a very different look in 2021. A.J. Dillon, who just completed his rookie season, appears that he will be the Packers lead back in 2021.
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Expected Possible Free Agent Losses Will Put A.J.Dillon In the Spotlight
Since LaFleur took over as the Packers head coach, he has had the benefit of having one of the best running back duos in the NFL. One of those running backs, Aaron Jones, has been one of the biggest playmakers for the Packers offense in LaFleur’s two seasons in charge.
Jones has flourished under LaFleur. In his first season in LaFleur’s offense, Jones rushed for 1,084 yards with 16 touchdown carries and a 4.6 yards per average carry. This past season, Jones carried the ball for 1,104 yards with nine touchdown carries and an eye-popping 5.5 yards per carry average. The rushing attack wasn’t the only area that Jones contributed. In the past two seasons, Jones combined for 56 receptions for 829 receiving yards with five touchdown receptions. Jones became an all-purpose running back for the Packers offense.
While Jones was the playmaker from the running back position, Jamaal Williams was just as important. Serving as the Packers number two running back, Williams combined to rush for 965 yards with three touchdown carries the past two seasons. He also combined for 70 receptions with 489 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions. Along with that, Williams was the Packers best pass protector at running back. On more than one occasion, Williams pass protection made sure that Rodgers had time to get rid of the ball.
Both were major keys to the Packers offensive success. But now both are about to become free agents. With possibly one or both leaving, that leaves A.J. Dillon to take over as the Packers top rusher.
Aaron Jones the Best Bet to Depart
It appears that Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst wanted to lock up Jones during the season. ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky reported that the Packers offered Jones a contract extension. That deal would have put him in the top five of running backs in regards to salary. However, Jones turned down the deal.
As Demovsky pointed out, shortly after turning down the deal, Jones switched agents, hiring Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent. That move might have signaled an end to Jones Green Bay tenure. Rosenhaus has a reputation for making things difficult for teams that are trying to re-sign one of his clients.
But the choice of Rosenhaus might not be the only reason the Packers might move on from Jones. While the Packers and Gutekunst did make a very substantial offer to Jones, certain things might have changed their plans.
During the season, it was announced that the Packers signed starting left tackle David Bakhtiari to a contract extension. The contract made Bakhtiari the top-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, something that was well earned. But the contract, along with the salary cap expected to be lowered because of COVID, might have changed the team’s plans for Jones.
Along with Bakhtiari’s contract, the Packers have a decision to make on All-Pro center Corey Linsley. Similar to Jones, Linsley is headed for free agency this off-season. The Packers might make Linsley a priority over Jones, with making sure Rodgers gets his starting center back.
Also playing a part in their decision to allow Jones to walk is A.J. Dillon. The Packers spent a second-round pick on Dillon in last year’s draft, maybe knowing this decision with Jones was coming.
Jamaal Williams Might be Brought Back at the Right Price
Jones and his asking price might too rich for the Packers. However, there is still a chance that Williams could be brought back, at the right price.
The running back position has been de-valued in today’s NFL world. It appears the only running backs hitting the lottery are running backs such as Jones, lead backs who have put up big numbers. While Williams is a very capable running back, he hasn’t put up the numbers Jones has.
To go along with that, as stated earlier, the salary cap is expected to drop for the 2021 season. That will put a pinch on players like Williams is. Very capable players who can contribute, but aren’t standout players. There could be an opportunity to bring back Williams if he accepts a Packers friendly deal.
Bringing back Williams would help the Packers running back group for next season. A.J. Dillon is expected to be the Packers top running back in 2021. However, there are things that Dillon still needs to learn and skills he still needs to develop. The biggest skill being pass protection.
As a rookie, Dillon saw limited playing time. Along with being a rookie, Dillon also missed time due to COVID. But even in his limited time, Dillon showed glimpses on why the Packers used a second-round pick on him. He carried the ball 46 times for 242 yards with two touchdown carries. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry.
However, Dillon saw limited time in pass protection, which will be vital as a starter in the Packers offense. If Williams were to be re-signed, it would give Dillon some time to learn that trait and also allow him to concentrate on just running the ball.
Without Jones and/or Williams, A.J. Dillon will be the Veteran Running Back
If the Packers don’t have the money to bring back either Jones or Williams, A.J. Dillon, in only his second season, will become the veteran Packers running back.
Jones, Williams, and Dillon were the only running backs on the Packers active roster when the 2020 season concluded. On the practice squad, they have Dexter Williams and Mike Weber. Tyler Ervin finished the season on the injured reserve, while rookie Patrick Taylor spent all season on the reserve/non-injury football list.
Out of that group, the player with the best chance to be on the Packers roster next season is Williams. A former sixth-round draft pick, Williams has struggled to adapt to playing in the NFL. Going with Williams as the top backup would be a very dangerous bet for LaFleur and the Packers.
The Packers might look for depth in free agency, but again, things are going to be tight. If they wanted to go that route, their best bet would be to re-sign Williams as Dillon’s top backup.
If they do or don’t bring backup Williams for depth, the Packers might want to use one of their draft choices on a running back in this year’s draft. It is highly doubtful they would use a top pick on one, but might look for one in the mid-rounds.
No matter the case, it appears that the Aaron Jones era is coming to an end and the A.J Dillon era is about to begin. The Packers are hoping he can pick up where Jones left off.
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