'I worked my ass off': Is Packers' AJ Dillon primed for a bounce-back season? (2024)

GREEN BAY, Wis. — AJ Dillon is no fool. He knows his situation after signing a one-year deal this offseason for not much more than the veteran minimum. He’s coming off an underwhelming fourth season in the league and the Packers drafted a running back in the third round to complement their marquee free-agent signing who’s making $12 million per year.

Just like former Packers backup running back Jamaal Williams probably knew he was a lame duck after Dillon was drafted in the second round before Williams’ 2020 contract year, likely so too does Dillon entering the 2024 season. Even so, he arrived at camp in the best shape of his career (this doesn’t seem like a cliché if you believe those pumping it) and sounds determined to go out with his head up, if this is indeed his last go-round in Green Bay.

“Whether it’s two yards or 2,000,” Dillon said, “I just wanna have no regrets with it.”

In a blowout win over the Titans late in his rookie season, Dillon ran 21 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns in the snow while Aaron Jones was banged up. Dillon had returned from a five-week COVID-19 absence not long prior, and that breakout game appeared to be a foreshadowing of dominant performances to come. However, Dillon’s single-game rushing high since then is only 93 yards. His yards per carry averages have gone from 5.3 his rookie year to 4.3, 4.1 and 3.4 in the ensuing three seasons. And despite his hulking frame and “Quadzilla” nickname, Dillon only ranks 28th in yards after contact per rush, according to TruMedia, since he entered the league.

Dillon has endeared himself to fans by embracing them just as they did him. He married a local and they have a son together, spending their offseasons in Wisconsin while many players jet out of town as soon as possible. He’s earned the title of “Mayor of Door County” and recently started the Dillon Family Foundation to combat hunger in the community. Yet Packers fans want production, and Dillon hasn’t done enough producing.

Perhaps it’s unfair that Dillon was drafted in the second round and his head coach referred to him as Jones’ equal. He was expected to be more than a backup when, in reality, he’s a serviceable No. 2 option. If rookie MarShawn Lloyd’s flashes indicate what’s to come, Dillon could be relegated to the third option at some point this season or even come Week 1.

“Shoot, I don’t view it in really any way,” Dillon said when asked about his current standing. “I just view it as being an older guy in my room and I got a chance to help out two rookies that we just brought in … I compete on the field and I compete by me going out there, my actions. I’m not gonna compete against another man and try to put him down or anything like that. I want everybody in that room to be as successful as they can.”

Dillon isn’t just going to hand over the role as Josh Jacobs’ backup, though. He set himself up for success this offseason by prioritizing sleep and recovery with a biometric data bracelet. He frequented Lambeau Field during the offseason even more than he used to, making daily three-hour round trips from Door County to work out with Packers trainers and use the hot tub, cold tub and sauna. He improved his diet — for example, opting for grilled chicken without a bun over fried chicken with one — and went with water over soda.

“Quite simply,” Dillon said, “I worked my ass off.”

“This is the best I’ve seen him, hands down, and I think he’d tell you the same,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “I think it’s just a testament to the work that he’s put in. He came back, he’s in great shape. Shoot, I was joking with him the other day, you can see the abs on him. That’s hard for a big man to do. He looks like he’s in great shape. I think he’s in a great place mentally. Obviously, we know what he’s capable of doing and I think he’s in a really good position to show his best.”

Dillon will need to if he wants to sign next offseason for more than he did in March, even if it’s not with Green Bay, let alone getting a deal from any team. Dillon said he had a lot of similar offers in free agency to Green Bay’s, implying that the Packers’ offer wasn’t the biggest but that it evened out because of what it would’ve cost to move his family and rent somewhere else while still paying for his house in Wisconsin. Besides the cost aspect, he loves Green Bay and was glad the interest in a return was mutual.

“AJ knows everything,” Lloyd said. “He knows the whole playbook. He helps me and Josh, so if we need something, we’ll go to AJ. AJ’s just so supportive. He’s a massive human being. He helps us throughout everything. If I do something good on the field, he’ll let me know I do something good. If something was like ehh, he’ll let me know. It’s good to have a guy like AJ to be able to help me throughout this whole time.”

Dillon played less than 10 percent of the offensive snaps as a rookie, partly because of his illness and because the Packers didn’t need him much over Jones and Williams. Asked directly if Lloyd will follow the same plan and observe more from the sideline in his first year, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said the Packers have to get Lloyd on the field. That could mean fewer snaps for Dillon, but it doesn’t sound like the Packers are writing him off yet as he tries to prove there’s still plenty of gas left in his tank.

“I noticed when he walked in the door the first day of OTAs, I was like, ‘Whoa,'” Stenavich said of Dillon. “He looks just chiseled, more strong than he’s ever looked, and he’s been running the ball hard. It’s been good to see. Yeah, anytime you can have Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon, that’s a pretty good one-two combination right there, so I’m excited to see those guys this year.”

(Top photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)

Matt Schneidman is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Green Bay Packers. He is a proud alum of The Daily Orange student newspaper at Syracuse University. Follow Matt on Twitter @mattschneidman