GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers signed Josh Jacobs in free agency to be their featured running back. AJ Dillon returns and still wants to contribute.
Dillon said he knows that this season’s Packers team faces high expectations, both internally and externally.
“I think we’re a competitive group,” said Dillon. “I expect us to compete no matter what.. My biggest example of that is that Saints game that we played last year, and we were down 17-0 going in the fourth quarter. We came back and found a way to win. That’s, I think, where we found out what kind of team we are and what kind of team last year’s team was. This is obviously a new team and you can’t just say it will all roll over. But I think that’s the nucleus and the mindset that we have as a team. We’re competitors, whether we’re the underdogs or whether we’re the favorites, we’re going to go out there and earn every little bit of it.”
Dillon came to training camp even more sculpted than usual.
“I’m a running back going into year five,” said Dillon. “I’m really enjoying the game. I love being a Packer. Just try to see how good I can get, how in-shape I can get and make sure I’m going out there with no regrets when I’m playing football.”
“This is the best I’ve seen him, hands down,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. “I think he would tell you the same. I think it’s just a testament to the work that he’s put in. He came back. He’s in great shape. I mean, shoot, I was joking with him the other day. You can see the abs on him, and that’s hard for a big man to do but, yeah, he looks like he’s in great shape. I think he’s in a great place mentally.”
Spectrum News asked Dillon why it was so important for him to remain with the Packers.
“It’s important for me to be here because I love this community,” said Dillon. “The Packers have blessed me with an unbelievable opportunity, drafted me back in 2020. My wife is from Green Bay and my family is in Green Bay. I’ve worked and done a lot within the community here in Green Bay and Door County and Milwaukee. This is a place that will be home to me, regardless of if I went to another team or not. The Packers being here is a bonus, because it’s a great organization that I love playing for. But the people within this community, really, really are my people.”
Dillon and his wife have started a foundation to help fight hunger in the community.