A lot of people were shocked to hear that the Green Bay Packers were the mystery team involved in the Jonathan Taylor sweepstakes. It wasn’t only people outside of the organization, as Packers’ running back AJ Dillon was also caught off guard about the team’s interest in the Indianapolis Colts star.
Many people consider Dillon to make up the best running back tandem in the NFL with Aaron Jones. So, it is understandable to question why the Packers would have an interest in shaking things up in the backfield; arguably their strongest unit.
It could be monetary, as Jones accepted a pay cut this season to remain in Green Bay but has a massive cap hit in the future. Dillon is entering the final season of his rookie contract, so the Packers could have been trying to get ahead of the inevitable backfield change on the horizon.
Alas, that isn’t something Dillon is too worried about. He recently spoke about the rumors involving Taylor, admitting that there haven’t been any discussions with team brass about it. But, his focus was on the team’s Week 1 opponent, the Chicago Bears.
“When I saw that, I just kind of laughed,” Dillon said on Wednesday in his first public comments about the report. “I don’t think much about that. I’m not going to go upstairs and start knocking on doors [about] rumors or anything like that. It’s just about when it’s time for my name to actually be brought up, when we’ve got real second-contract talks coming up, then I’ll have those talks. But that has nothing to do with me.
“I’m focused on Game 1, rocking with my guy 33 (Aaron Jones) over there – best backfield in America – and we’re going to go out there and prove it and keep balling and keep pushing each other.”
Dillon could see his role expand in the backfield with Jones suffering an injury against the Bears. On his 51-yard touchdown catch and run, Jones grabbed for his hamstring near the end zone and didn’t return to the game.
But, Dillon also has the right mindset about the situation. He cannot control people talking about rumors, so he may as well focus on something he can control, such as his performance on the field.
At the end of the day, the NFL is a business. Dillon knows that and wants to make the most of it. Regardless of your standing with a team, everyone’s job is on the line every day they take the field.
“It’s really out of my control,” Dillon said. “I’ve been around long enough to see it doesn’t matter whether you’re a starter, not a starter, practice squad. I’ve seen guys [who are] very talented go to other teams from here.
“It’s about coming to practice, doing what you can control, trying to be a positive guy, trying to be a leader, trying to correct myself when I make mistakes out there. Those are things I can control. Coming in and being positive, a positive figure outside in the community, [are] things I can control. Whether I’m here next year at the end of the year, whether I’m here after the cut or whatever the trade, that’s out of my control. I’ve just got to go out there and put my best foot forward every day.”
Dillon ultimately has no control over what the Packers do at the running back position. But, he can help the team make their decision by playing well on the field. If he can regain the efficiency and production he provided in 2021, Green Bay would be more than glad to work out a long-term deal with him.
