Half of one of the league's best 1-2 punches at running back had something to say about his playing days with the Green Bay Packers going forward.
Less than a calendar year from now, Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon will be able to test free agency if the team doesn't re-sign him before the start of the 2024 NFL fiscal year.
A second-round selection in 2020, the Boston College standout has played in all 17 games the past two seasons after being limited to 11 contests during his rookie campaign. His brief three-year career totals add up to 1,815 yards on the ground, 540 yards on 68 catches, and a combined 16 total touchdowns.
He's logged only 17 touches in three postseason games but scored Green Bay's only touchdown in that rough 13-10 loss to the 49ers in the 2021 NFC Divisional Playoffs at Lambeau Field.
Matt LaFleur's club has quite the talented tandem in Dillon and six-year-pro Aaron Jones. The latter comes off a career year in terms of rushing yards (1,121). As a team, Green Bay averaged 124.3 yards per game on the ground. They may have to do better than that this year as young Jordan Love takes over the quarterback spot in place of Aaron Rodgers.
Packers: Will A.J. Dillon stay in Green Bay?
This past season, Dillon ran for 770 yards and led the club with seven scores on the ground. Via Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, the three-year pro admitted that 2022 "wasn't the year I was hoping for last year" due to numerous factors. As for the future, that means the upcoming season.
"I love Green Bay. Green Bay knows that. I love the Packers," explained Dillon (via Wilde). "The Packers know that. I'd play here until I can't run anymore. I'll pick up long snapper or whatever it is when I start slowing down. But there's only so much I can control.
"My biggest thing is having the mindset that I'm going to come in here and keep doing my thing. And when it's time to go play ball, I'm going to go out there and play free and have fun. How I used to back in college, high school. And however that happens, whether it's 1,000 yards, 2,000 yards, 100 yards, so be it. I'm going to have fun and enjoy all the time I have here. And hopefully, we're back here next year."
It figures to be an intriguing year for LaFleur and company, who may have to rely on their ground attack and defense as Love finds his place. In any case, Dillon is certainly all in and it could be a big year for the physical running back.
