Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon has been on a tear lately. With Aaron Jones injured and the backfield depth chart looking thin, Dillon has stepped up. He has broken off some big runs and taken dump-off passes for big gains. Running backs coach Ben Sirmans had some high praise for Dillon in a press conference on Monday.
Sirmans thinks it is an attitude shift that has helped Dillon’s play. Dillon looks more relaxed and is playing freer. His stat lines aren’t jumping off the page, but he seems to come up with big plays in big moments. He is looking like the type of running back that the Packers took in the second round.
With his high-level play, the question becomes whether the Packers will re-sign him.
Earning a Second Contract?
Dillon is in a contract year. At the beginning of the season, it seemed unlikely that the Packers would want to bring back the running back out of Boston College. Now, it is a real conversation. Dillon seems to like being in Green Bay and could give the Packers a hometown discount. The salary cap is tight, but the Packers might be able to make it work if Dillon is willing to compromise. He still has the back third of the season to show off more of his skills.
Even if the Green Bay Packers don’t bring back Dillon, he is playing well enough to get another contract. A huge test comes this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers will need Dillon to control the ground game if they are going to knock off the AFC’s best.
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