The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have struggled to keep their roster together after many young players outplayed their rookie contracts and earned big money.
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That has led them to have to let some guys go while replacing them with cheaper, less talented options.
However, former Green Bay Packer AJ Dillon, who was recently cleared to return to the NFL after missing the 2024 season due to a neck injury, has signed with the team, serving as a low-risk, high-reward backup option to Saquon Barkley at running back.
Dillon is a big, athletic back who was drafted in the second round by the Packers back in 2020. He was solid when he got on the field but struggled to overtake talented veteran Aaron Jones.
He has started 11 of his 60 career games, including six starts out of 15 in the last actual season in 2023.
His best season was arguably his second season despite only starting two games. He put up 803 yards on 187 rushing attempts, giving him 4.3 yards per carry, as well as 34 receptions and seven total touchdowns.
While he has never really wowed with his production, he also hasn’t gotten significant opportunities to prove himself.
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While his play has declined somewhat over the years with his yards per carry dropping to 3.4 in 2023, maybe a year off will do him some good in regaining is early career form.
Last offseason, the Packers acquired Josh Jacobs after Jones went to the Vikings. Jacobs had an elite season, making Dillon not necessary to bring back as a Jones replacement after missing a full season.
This signing seems like a good one for both sides, as the Eagles get a good complement to Kenneth Gainwell behind Saquon Barkley also have some of the biggest quads in the NFL in their backfield.
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Dillon has a chance to resurrect his career with a well-run franchise who won’t need to rush him back at all, and could even help lessen the load for Barkley a bit once he gets back up to speed.
The Eagles have a top offensive line as well, making this destination for Dillon potentially the best possible one out there.
While the Eagles signing Dillon isn’t some league-changing move, it is definitely an intriguing one given Dillon’s upside.
He has the physical makeup of a top back, so if Saquon Barkley ever were to go down with an injury, Dillon may get a significant shot to show why he was originally drafted in the second round.
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