The Green Bay Packers made few changes to their core players over the course of the offseason. However, the changes that they did make were quite drastic. On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers completely cleaned house in their safety room, allowing Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford to leave in free agency. To replace them, they brought in free agent Xavier McKinney and three rookies from the 2024 NFL Draft.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Packers decided to move on from five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari. He had played just 13 games in the past three seasons and was going to carry a $40 million cap hit into 2024 if he remained on the roster. Releasing him saved the team roughly $20 million.
Also on the offensive side of the ball, Green Bay made the tough decision to move on from running back Aaron Jones. His release came just hours after the Packers signed free agent Josh Jacobs. According to both Jones and general manager Brian Gutekunst, the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher did not want to take another pay cut to stay with the team.
The Green Bay Packers Brought Back AJ Dillon and Drafted Marshawn Lloyd This Offseason
In addition to signing Jacobs, the Packers also re-signed 2020 second round pick AJ Dillon. After becoming a free agent for the first time in his career, Dillon had offers from other teams to go play elsewhere. However, he took far less money to stay in Green Bay, a decision he said was what was best for his family.
In addition to bringing back Dillon, the Packers also drafted former South Carolina and USC running back Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Green Bay now boasts a running back room of Jacobs, Dillon, and Lloyd, all of whom are 26 years old or younger.
Finally, the Packers also currently have 2023 NFL Preseason rushing champion Emanuel Wilson on their roster. Wilson was a surprising addition to Green Bay’s 53-man roster before last season began. He appeared in seven games and received 14 carries for 85 yards.
That being said, Wilson faces an uphill battle to make the roster again due to the three players in front of him.
As camp approaches, many believe that Green Bay’s top-two running backs with be Jacobs and Dillon. After all, Jacobs was the 2022 NFL rushing champion and Dillon has served as the Packers’ number two running back since 2021.
One NFL analyst, though, does not think Dillon will last long as the primary backup option in Green Bay. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently wrote:
“Green Bay Packers rookie MarShawn Lloyd is an explosive back with dual-threat capability and, let’s be honest, far more upside than AJ Dillon. He should quickly become the top complement to free-agent addition Jacobs.”
To be fair, Dillon did have a career-low 3.4 yards per carry last season; but he was also playing with a very inexperienced roster around him. Now that everyone has had a full season of playing together under their belts, everyone’s production should be better.
Dillon is also playing for his job beyond this season. After signing for an extremely team-friendly amount this past offseason, Dillon has to produce this year if he wants to stay in Green Bay.
Do not count him out just yet.
