AJ Dillon Rejoins Green Bay Packers Following Aaron Jones Release

The 2024 NFL Offseason is already off a WILD start.

The Green Bay Packers made a couple of big additions earlier this week, and also had to let go of a trio of big-name players.

Aaron Jones was released by the team on Monday, as the team couldn't work out a re-worked contract following the signing of 26-year-old Josh Jacobs.

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Following the Jones departure, many fans were left wondering 'what next?' as the backup plan behind Jacobs, the presumptive lead back.

Now, that question has an answer, and it's a familiar one.

The Green Bay Packers have reportedly agreed to terms on a unique one-year deal with AJ Dillon, who has been with the team since 2020:

 The NFL Network reported the Packers are using a four-year qualifying offer to sign Dillon, a low-risk deal that protects the team if Dillon doesn’t crack the initial 53-man roster.

Here's some more on the details of the contract:

Under the four-year qualifying offer, teams can designate a player (or a combination of two players) to be signed and receive the benefit and reduce his (or their) base salary for cap purposes by up to $1.45 million. The rule also limits the player’s signing bonus to $167,500 and the player’s base salary cannot be more than $1.45 million (for 2024) over the applicable minimum salary for the player’s service time. In Dillon’s case, the fifth-year veteran minimum in 2024 is $1.125 million.

It's a win-win for the Packers. If Dillon remains good enough to make the team, the Packers have a steady and knowledgeable option behind Jacobs in the backfield for at least 2024.

If not, the Packers can cut bait with the veteran fan-favorite, and it will only cost them $167,500.

Hard not to like that.

Since joining the Packers as a rookie second-round pick in 2020, Dillon has had his share of highs and lows. He has just one career 100+ yard rushing game, coming in 2020 against the Titans.

For his career, Dillon has averaged 4.1 yards per carry and has 2,428 career rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns.

Sources: Packers News and Pro Football Reference (Stats)