The expected departure of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers will change a lot of things for the Green Bay Packers. With Rodgers headed to the New York Jets, the chances of the Packers reaching the 2023 Super Bowl seem pretty dim. The focus for general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers seems to be on the future of the organization. Now, Gutekunst will turn his focus to which players can contribute to the Packers future. One of those players who will need to show he should be a part of that future is running back AJ Dillon.
AJ Dillon Faces Pivotal 2023
The selection of AJ Dillon in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft surprised many. In today’s NFL world, the running back position isn’t valued as it once was. The NFL has become a passing league. The days of using a first or second-round pick on a workhorse running back have become outdated. For most teams looking to better their offenses, those picks are saved for quarterbacks, offensive linemen, or even wide receivers. Gutekunst’s selection of Dillon went totally against the grain.
Along with that, the selection surprised many because the Packers already had two established running backs. The year prior to Dillion’s selection, starting running back Aaron Jones rushed for over 1,000 yards and had 16 rushing touchdowns. The Packers also had a solid number two running back in Jamaal Williams. In the same season that Jones rushed for over 1,000 yards, Williams chipped in 460 rushing yards. With Jones and Williams solidly locked in as the number one and two running backs, there just didn’t seem a need.
But with the addition of Dillon, Williams became expendable. The Packers allowed Williams to depart as a free agent which allowed Dillon to take over the number two running back role. It’s a spot that Dillon has done well at. But now that the Packers are looking towards the future, Dillon will have to show he is capable of taking over the number one spot.
AJ Dillon is a load pic.twitter.com/m7dmo057rj
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Aaron Jones Era as a Packer Winding Down
In 2017, Ted Thompson’s last draft as the Packers general manager, the Packers used a fifth-round pick on Aaron Jones. That selection turned out to be another feather in Thompson’s hat. Jones has outplayed his draft status. Not only has Jones been a great running back, but he has been one of the Packers biggest offensive weapons.
In six seasons as a Packer, Jones has rushed for over 5,200 yards and had 43 rushing touchdowns. Along with being a stellar runner, he has chipped in 242 receptions for 1,843 receiving yards with 17 receiving touchdowns. He is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,121 yards with two rushing touchdowns.
But with turning 29 this December, Jones is inching towards 30, an age when most running backs lose their steam. The Packers organization has always sided on parting with a star player a year too early than a year too late. Because of that, it appears that Jones will be heading into his final season as a Packer.
With this expected to be Jones last season, the Packers need to find out if AJ Dillon is capable of making the jump from the number two running back to number one. While Jones will still be a big part of Matt LaFleur’s offense, it appears that 2023 will be a tryout season for Dillon.
Expect A Lot of AJ Dillon in 2023
The Super Bowl aspirations of the Packers aren’t the only thing that will change with Rodgers leaving. With Rodgers departing, and Jordan Love taking over, the Green Bay Packers offense is expected to look a lot different as well.
With Rodgers firmly cemented as the Packers starting quarterback when LaFleur arrived, many believe he hasn’t been able to run his own offense. There is no doubt that LaFleur had to adjust his offense to fit Rodgers skills. With Rodgers now gone, Packers fans will get to see what a Matt LaFleur offense truly looks like.
LaFleur learned under San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. He also spent time under Kyle’s father, former NFL head coach Mike Shanahan. Their offense is built around a strong run game. It is expected that LaFleur will do the same thing, now that Rodgers is gone.
A strong run game means more opportunities for Jones but especially for Dillon. For Dillon, it couldn’t come at a better time. AJ Dillon is entering his final season in his rookie contract. Not only is Dillon trying to show he is capable of being a number-one running back, but he is also playing for a new contract. With the focus of the Green Bay Packers offense moving away from Rodgers and the passing game, and more toward the run game, it should open up opportunities for Dillon.
The NFL Draft Looming
Since taking over for Williams as the Packers number two running back, AJ Dillon has rushed for 1,573 yards with 12 touchdown carries. Those numbers as a number two running back are more than solid. But there are still questions if Dillion can be the “man” in the running back room.
Behind Jones and Dillon, the Packers currently have Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson vying for the number three running back spot. While both have potential, neither has the skills to leapfrog Dillon on the depth chart. If the Packers aren’t sold on Dillon, they might have to look for help in this year’s NFL Draft.
It is doubtful that the Packers will use a high pick on a running back. The Packers have multiple spots they need to fill in this year’s draft that they value more than running back. There are some decent prospects that will be available in mid to late rounds for the Packers to choose from. Possible candidates are Syracuse’s Sean Tucker, Illinois’s Chase Brown, and Texas’s Roschon Johnson.
Still, there isn’t much doubt that the Packers are hoping that AJ Dillon can fill that role. With spending a second-round selection on him in 2020, and giving him so many carries as the number two back, the Packers seem to be leaning on having him as their top running back. Dillon, who is a fan favorite, has a lot riding on how he plays in 2023. Not only is he playing to get paid, but he is also playing for his Packers future.
Main Photo: Jasen Vinlove – USA Today Sports
