Green Bay, WI: The Green Bay Packers’ backfield could see a major shakeup after the 2023 season, with both Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon potentially on the way out.
While both players have been valuable contributors, their futures with the team are uncertain. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic believes Dillon is more likely to be released, as the Packers can find a cheaper replacement through the draft. He adds that although Dillon has shown improvement lately, he hasn’t proven himself as a true No. 1 back.
Jones’ situation is more complicated. While he’s a beloved player and has been productive in the past, his age (29) and recent injury concerns raise questions about his future value. Schneidman suggests several scenarios:
- Cut or trade Jones before June 1st: This would free up roughly $5 million in cap space.
- Post-June 1st cut or trade: This would save the Packers nearly $11.5 million, but it may be a risky move considering Jones’ past performance.
- Jones stays on the roster: This would cost the Packers over $17.7 million in cap space, a significant expense for a player with injury concerns and approaching his 30s.
Schneidman concludes that Jones’ best chance of staying with the team is if the Packers let Dillon go. However, Dillon’s lackluster performance this season (521 rushing yards, 3.5 yards/carry, 1 TD) makes him expendable.
Additional Factors:
- The Packers’ willingness to go young on offense (see: Jordan Love and their young receiving corps) suggests they’re not afraid to move on from established players.
- The recent three-game winning streak and playoff push might give GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur more leeway to make unpopular decisions like cutting Jones.
Overall, the Packers have a difficult decision to make regarding their running back position. Letting both Jones and Dillon go would save significant cap space and allow them to draft younger, cheaper replacements. However, it would also mean losing two key contributors who have been integral to the team’s success in recent years.