Changes coming to Packers' 2024 backfield

Brought back for a low guarantee, AJ Dillon has run into a roadblock in Green Bay. The four-year Aaron Jones 1-B option is no longer in the Packers’ plans for this season.

The team placed Dillon on IR. Unlike a handful of players being moved to IR with a return designation Tuesday, as the NFL is now greenlighting up to two IR-return slots before 53-man rosters are finalized, Dillon’s transition does not include such a designation. As such, he is out for the season — or until an injury settlement emerges.

Either way, Dillon’s path to a fifth Packers season may be closed. The team signed Josh Jacobs and drafted MarShawn Lloyd in the fourth round of 2024. Emanuel Wilson also made the Packers’ 53-man roster, rounding out Green Bay’s backfield. Lloyd has missed time during the preseason, but the Packers left the rookie on their active roster.

An early-offseason rumor pointed to Dillon not being in Green Bay’s 2024 plans, and Brian Gutekunst‘s February comments suggested Jones had a route back for an eighth year with the club. Instead, the Packers — barring an injury settlement and then Dillon returning later — will deploy neither this season. This could close the book on one of the team's more productive RB tandems.

A 2020 second-round pick, Dillon lumbered to merely a 3.4-yard average per carry last season. The Boston College product, who has said he plans to stay in Green Bay when his career ends, had previously delivered 803- and 770-yard rushing seasons alongside Jones. The power back, however, found little market for his services this offseason. He expressed interest in joining the Giants, Cowboys or Colts but ultimately re-signed with the Packers for just $168K guaranteed. A Dillon settlement is likely, as the Packers could save some of the $2.74M contract they authorized in March.

It remains to be seen if Dillon will resurface elsewhere via a settlement this year or ultimately not play again until 2025. Either way, the Pack has a new backfield plan in the works.