AJ Dillon’s NFL career will continue with the Carolina Panthers.
After his lone season with the Philadelphia Eagles, the former Green Bay Packers running back is joining the Panthers, the team announced on March 18.
Terms weren’t released, but NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports the deal is for one year.
Dillon reshared the news on X, writing: “Keep Pounding Let’s goooo!!!! Panthers”
He also shared throwback photos on X from when he was in college, visited the team facilities and met then-star linebacker Luke Kuechly, a 2026 Pro Football Hall of Famer.
A second-round pick by the Packers from Boston College in 2020, Dillon spent the first five years of his career in Green Bay, where he became a fan favorite.
During the 2021-23 seasons, he averaged over 183 carries and just under 730 yards per season as Aaron Jones’ backup. He didn’t miss a game in his second and third seasons in 2021 and 2022. However, a neck stinger late in 2023 ended his season after 15 games.
Dillon looked to return to full health the following year, but another neck stinger in training camp cost him the entire 2024 season.
Dillon signed with the Eagles last offseason as a free agent but he barely saw the field for the then-reigning Super Bowl champions.
He played in the Eagles’ first six games but was buried on the depth chart behind Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley and didn’t suit up again until the team’s Week 17 game when the team rested many starters ahead of the postseason. Dillon was inactive for the team’s playoff game.
Not counting the 2024 season, the seven games he played were a career low. It was the first time he didn’t have a touchdown in a season and he posted career lows across the board.
He’ll attempt at a re-set in Carolina. If Dillon makes the Panthers roster, he’ll face the Packers at Lambeau Field in the 2026 season. The date of the game will be announced in early May. He returned to Green Bay with the Eagles last year but was inactive.
In Carolina, he’ll join a running back room that, heading into the draft, includes Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne. The team’s starter last season, Rico Dowdle, who rushed for 1,076 yards, left in free agency for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Dillon will turn 28 on May 2. In addition to his professional news, Dillon had a major personal announcement this week when he and his wife, Gabrielle, revealed they’re having a second child.
AJ Dillon stats with Eagles
AJ Dillon career stats
(Six total seasons. Five seasons with the Packers – he only played in four due to injury – and one with the Eagles.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This former Packers running back, fan favorite signs with a new team
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
