(Photo Credit: USA-Today Sport)
The Green Bay Packers are ensuring stability in their running back lineup. Just three days after parting ways with Aaron Jones and welcoming free agent Josh Jacobs, they’ve reached an agreement with Jones’ long-time teammate AJ Dillon on a one-year contract extension.
Contract Details: Four-Year Qualifying Offer
Utilizing the seldom-used four-year qualifying offer—a provision introduced in the 2020 CBA—the Packers have secured Dillon, who has been with the team for at least four uninterrupted league years before his contract expires.
This one-year deal can exceed the minimum by up to $1.45 million, with only the minimum base salary portion ($1.125 million in Dillon’s case) affecting the salary cap. Dillon is also eligible for $167,000 in additional compensation.
Teams can employ this provision with up to two players. However, the combined additional base salary cannot exceed $1.45 million between them. Prior to this offseason, only 44 players had signed deals under this provision.
Dillon’s Playing Style and Role
Dillon, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 247 pounds, is known for his physical style of play. He primarily served as a backup to Jones throughout his four-year tenure with the Packers and stepped into the RB1 role only when Jones was sidelined due to injury.
Career Highlight
Dillon, who turns 26 on May 2, rushed for 613 and two touchdowns in 15 games during the 2023 season. Unfortunately, he missed the final two regular-season games and both playoff matchups due to a stinger injury.
Dillon had his best-rushing game against the Tennessee Titans in 2020, where he ran for over 100 yards.
As a second-round pick in 2020, Dillon stood out as one of just two running backs in the NFL to run for over 750 yards. He played in every game during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
This report used information from ESPN.
