Paul Bretl | 3/6/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — With free agency on the horizon, I have been taking a closer look at the Packers’ pending free agents in my ‘Re-sign or Let Go and Prediction’ series.
For each free agent, I will make a case as to why the Packers should re-sign them, and I’ll also discuss why the Packers would let them walk and play elsewhere. Then at the end, I’ll make my prediction.
This will be my third offseason doing this series, and through the first two, I’ve gotten 24 of the 27 predictions correct.
Up next, let’s take a closer look at whether or not running back AJ Dillon will return for the 2025 season. If you missed our other previews, you can find them below:
Eric Wilson
Isaiah McDuffie
Robert Rochell
TJ Slaton
Tyler Davis
Eric Stokes
Brandon McManus
Josh Myers
Why the Packers will re-sign AJ Dillon
Before AJ Dillon suffered the neck injury in training camp that resulted in him being placed on injured reserve, as Matt LaFleur said, the team had a pretty “clear vision” for what Dillon’s role within the offense was going to be this past season.
Throughout training camp, we saw Dillon lining up in the backfield with Josh Jacobs in two running back sets. He also had blocking duties and lined up outside of the backfield on occasion, in addition to being a ball carrier.
“We had a pretty clear vision for what he could do, and it wasn’t just going to be as a runner,” LaFleur said last summer after Dillon was placed on IR. “The versatility is what I was most excited about, just being able to do a lot of different things in regards to some of the stuff we did a year ago with him when we had some of our two halfback sets. It certainly leaves us with a void.”
That versatility and filling that do-it-all type of role adds another dimension to the running back position within LaFleur’s offense and is something else for defenses to account for.
Dillon said last summer that he was in the best shape of his life. He also said after the 2024 season during locker room cleanout that he intends to play in 2025.
Re-signing Dillon comes with really no risk for the Packers. His contract last offseason wasn’t much over league minimum and had almost no guarantees. Adding him back to the mix can bolster the competition and add more versatility to the room, while if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, the team moves on with little or no salary cap impact.
“I’ve had so many great years in football and some really great teams and some great lifelong friends,” Dillon said at this locker after the season. “So, I really just look at everything in an optimistic mindset. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to continue to play the game that I love. So, I’m going to put myself in the best position possible to continue doing that.”
Why the Packers won’t re-sign AJ Dillon
Even without Dillon on the roster, this is already quite a crowded running back room for the Packers, and one where difficult roster decisions may already be on the table once we get to late August. Returning for the 2025 season will be Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and while Emanuel Wilson is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA), it’s safe to assume he will be back as well.
That’s four players, all of whom were on the 53-man roster last season at various points, competing for three roster spots.
In addition to that, if GM Brian Gutekunst does want to still add here, this year’s running back draft class is loaded with talent, and with that comes a variety of different skill sets for teams to choose from. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid mentioned that he has 33 running backs with draftable grades–that’s like putting two draft classes into one.
Lastly, when it comes to Dillon’s role that he had carved out last summer, Brooks ended up taking over a lot of those same responsibilities, especially as the season progressed. So it’s not as if without Dillon on the team, the Packers don’t have that element within the offense–they very much do.
“I don’t need to prove anything to anybody,” said Dillon. “I think my tape speaks for itself. There’s going to be people who want me on their team, who don’t want me on their team. That’s free agency and the nature of the NFL. It’s not really about proving. I can do everything on the football field.
“So, I really think it’s just about getting there, getting wherever it is, and getting back here, whatever it is, whatever team it is, and just going out there and playing ball. I play ball, I play football. So, the best thing I can do for me is just go ahead and get in shape and get ready to go.”
Prediction: Dillon is not re-signed by the Packers
Oftentimes, I do think it makes sense to bring back a veteran this time of the year on an inexpensive contract and who knows the system. There’s just very little risk for the team, who can get out of the deal easily, but there’s upside to be had.
However, in this instance, there is too much working against Dillon that returning just doesn’t seem to be in the cards. This is already a deep position in the roster, the draft class has tons of talent at the position, and Brooks assumed a similar role last season and did so quite well.