The Green Bay Packers‘ running back room is going to look very different in 2024 than it has over the last few seasons. Of course, this is because Aaron Jones, the third-leading rusher in franchise history, is no longer on the roster. The Packers released him after he refused to take another pay cut. Jones has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Hours before they released Jones, the Packers announced that they had signed free agent running back and 2022 NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders. Since signing Jacobs, they also re-signed AJ Dillon and drafted Marshawn Lloyd out of USC.
Of course, Green Bay also still has NFL preseason rushing leader and undrafted free agent Emanuel Wilson on their roster. Wilson became a massive fan-favorite last offseason with a brilliant performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Green Bay Packers Will Be Forced to Make a Tough Decision at Running Back in 2024
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Obviously, Jacobs is going to be the Packers’ starting running back in 2024. While much is said of how just one year of his four-year $48 million contract is guaranteed before Green Bay could possibly move on, Jacobs himself has mentioned on at least two occasions that his goal for his time with the Packers is to leave a legacy.
The real question is going to be which player will be his backup. Dillon, of course, has been the Packers’ second-string running back for the last three seasons. In 2021, both he and Jones eclipsed over 1,000 all-purpose yards. In 2022, Dillon had 976 all-purpose yards. Last season, though, his production dropped to 836 all-purpose yards, and he had a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry.
This down year happened in the final season of his rookie contract, leading many to think that Dillon would not be back in 2024. He recently revealed that he did have richer offers in free agency but decided to take far less money to sign with the Packers, a move that he said was the best decision for his family.
The addition of Lloyd in the 2024 NFL Draft, though, has some people wondering if his willingness to take such a team-friendly will be enough for him to make the final 53-man roster.
NFL Analyst Believes the Green Bay Packers Could Trade Running Back AJ Dillon
In a recent article in which he lists three players that Green Bay could trade ahead of training camp, NFL analyst Alex Ballentine suggests that the Packers could reward Dillon’s willingness to take less money by trading him elsewhere:
“However, the Packers also drafted MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the draft after signing Josh Jacobs in free agency. Those aren’t moves the team would have made if they felt confident in Dillon’s fit with their offense moving forward.
“Jacobs will be the team’s top back to start the season. It’s reasonable to assume that Lloyd will be the No. 2 early in the year. That would leave Dillon as the third running back, but they have intriguing young options in Emmanuel Wilson and Jarveon Howard.
“If either of them stands out in camp, they could put Dillon on the trade block.”
Ballentine is right about a few things in his piece. The Packers certainly do have serious questions regarding Dillon’s abilities. Remember, Jones was still on the roster when Green Bay signed Jacobs. For a little while, it seemed as if their entire plan was to go into the season with both Jones and Jacobs. If Jones had agreed to take a pay cut, that is what would have happened.
One has to wonder if Dillon would have been brought back at even his small price tag had Jones decided differently.
He certainly does have a lot to prove in camp; however, the notion that he will be traded is not exactly a likely one. He beat out Wilson last year for the backup spot, so it stands to reason that Dillon will be the third-string running back at absolute worst in 2024.
