A.J. Dillon sends clear message to Packers entrance workplace about his future
Half of one of many league’s greatest 1-2 punches at operating again had one thing to say about his taking part in days with the Inexperienced Bay Packers going ahead.
Lower than a calendar yr from now, Inexperienced Bay Packers operating again A.J. Dillon will be capable of check free company if the staff doesn’t re-sign him earlier than the beginning of the 2024 NFL fiscal yr.
A second-round choice in 2020, the Boston School standout has performed in all 17 video games the previous two seasons after being restricted to 11 contests throughout his rookie marketing campaign. His temporary three-year profession totals add as much as 1,815 yards on the bottom, 540 yards on 68 catches, and a mixed 16 complete touchdowns.
He’s logged solely 17 touches in three postseason video games however scored Inexperienced Bay’s solely landing in that tough 13-10 loss to the 49ers within the 2021 NFC Divisional Playoffs at Lambeau Discipline.
Matt LaFleur’s club has fairly the proficient tandem in Dillon and six-year-pro Aaron Jones. The latter comes off a profession yr when it comes to dashing yards (1,121). As a staff, Inexperienced Bay averaged 124.3 yards per recreation on the bottom. They might must do higher than that this yr as younger Jordan Love takes over the quarterback spot instead of Aaron Rodgers.
Packers: Will A.J. Dillon keep in Inexperienced Bay?
This previous season, Dillon ran for 770 yards and led the membership with seven scores on the bottom. Through Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, the three-year professional admitted that 2022 “wasn’t the yr I hoped for final yr” as a result of quite a few components. As for the longer term, which means the upcoming season.
“I like Inexperienced Bay. Inexperienced Bay is aware of that. I like the Packers,” defined Dillon (through Wilde). “The Packers know that. I’d play right here till I can’t run anymore. I’ll decide up lengthy snapper or no matter it’s once I begin slowing down. However there’s solely a lot I can management.
“My largest factor is having the mindset that I’m going to come back in right here and preserve doing my factor. And when it’s time to go play ball, I’m going to go on the market and play free and have enjoyable. How I used to again in faculty, highschool. And nonetheless that occurs, whether or not it’s 1,000 yards, 2,000 yards, 100 yards, so be it. I’m going to have enjoyable and luxuriate in on a regular basis I’ve right here. And hopefully, we’re again right here subsequent yr.”
It figures to be an intriguing yr for LaFleur and firm, who might must depend on their floor assault and defense as Love finds his place. In any case, Dillon is definitely all in and it could possibly be a giant yr for the bodily operating again.
