INTERESTING NEWS: The Packers are anticipated to release a playmaker who was once a second-round pick, saving $5 million in the process.

 AJ Dillon of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a TD run with Aaron Jones.

The Green Bay Packers, who embraced a new offensive approach in 2023, are now poised to bid farewell to one of their key figures during this transition period.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers will part ways with running back A.J. Dillon once he officially becomes a free agent on March 13.

Silverstein noted on March 1 that the Packers are unlikely to re-sign free agent A.J. Dillon, suggesting that Emanuel Wilson, an undrafted free agent from 2023, might be the sole option to handle a significant workload. With a considerable number of draft picks, including an estimated three compensatory selections, the Packers are expected to address the running back position in the upcoming draft.

A disappointing performance during the 2023 season is likely to result in A.J. Dillon parting ways with the Packers in the future.

Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon.

Dillon, selected in the second round from Boston College in 2020, experienced his least productive NFL season in 2023, with numbers reminiscent of his rookie year.

Had Dillon delivered a stronger performance, he might have secured a new contract as the Packers’ primary rusher. However, he managed only 613 rushing yards at 3.4 yards per carry and just 2 touchdowns, his lowest totals since his debut season.

In the preceding two seasons combined, Dillon amassed 1,573 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground (14 overall), averaging 4.3 and 4.1 yards per carry, respectively.

Having fulfilled his four-year rookie deal worth $5.2 million, Dillon’s projected market value for a new one-year contract stands at $3.5 million according to Spotrac. The Packers’ decision not to re-sign him despite his four years of service—much of which was of good quality—indicates their perspective on Dillon’s trajectory.

Moreover, the cost of retaining a later-round running back over four years roughly equals Dillon’s anticipated salary for 2024 alone.

For the second consecutive offseason, the Packers are seeking to restructure Aaron Jones’ contract.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones.

If the Packers decide to address their offensive backfield in the upcoming draft, it’s likely they’ll do so in the later rounds, potentially late on Day 2 or into Day 3.

Attempting to predict which prospects might catch the attention of the front office and who will be available is challenging. However, one situation that stands out is that of starting running back Aaron Jones.

In 2023, Green Bay successfully negotiated a $5 million reduction in Jones’ salary by convincing him to agree to a new arrangement. As Jones enters the final year of his $48 million contract in 2024, carrying a cap hit of nearly $17.6 million, it’s probable that the Packers will aim to reduce his cap hit once again if they plan to retain him.

Tom Silverstein outlined the situation in his March 1 report, stating that Packers officials have met with Jones’ agent at the NFL scouting combine in an effort to reach an agreement on a salary cap cut. The team’s intention is clear—they want him back.

If an agreement isn’t reached within the next two weeks, the Packers could opt to release Jones and hope that their offer isn’t matched on the open market, though this would risk losing him to another team.

Despite missing six games and being limited in several others due to hamstring and knee injuries, Jones proved to be a valuable asset for Green Bay when healthy. He surpassed 100 rushing yards in the team’s final five games of the season, including two playoff contests.

Jones won’t turn 30 until late next season and is highly regarded as a leader in the Packers locker room. Losing him would undoubtedly impact the young offense, which is clearly on the rise under the leadership of quarterback Jordan Love.

Max Dible covers the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Golden State Warriors for Heavy.com. Prior to joining Heavy, he reported on local and statewide news for West Hawaii Today and served as the news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations.