As the Green Bay Packers’ 2023 regular season comes to a close, there are many questions about the coaching staff and the roster’s future. The year’s largest question, however, has already been answered: Jordan Love is the quarterback of today and tomorrow. Love has a 62.5% completion percentage, 3,587 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions through 15 games, with a quarterback rating of 91.8.
The most critical question that needed to be answered this season, of course, was about their quarterback. In some respects, whether they make the NFL Playoffs or not, the season can be considered a success because they now know they can build around Love.
Unfortunately, just because a club has a talented quarterback does not usually imply that the rest of the squad is good. Furthermore, an offense requires more than simply a brilliant quarterback. The Packers have struggled in the run game throughout the 2023 season. Aaron Jones had the first 100-yard game for any Packers running back or wide receiver this season in their 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Looking ahead, the Packers’ quarterback situation is unquestionably secure, but the running back position is fraught with uncertainty.
The Green Bay Packers Must Examine Their Future With or Without Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon
While Jordan Love’s contract will be extended this offseason, and the wide receivers and tight ends are still on rookie contracts, the Packers’ running back room is rather questionable beyond this season.
AJ Dillon will be a free agent, and while he wishes to remain in Green Bay, it is unclear if the sentiment is mutual. Jones still has a year left on his deal, but as football fans know, that is meaningless in the NFL.
Jones is expected to have a $17.7 million cap hit next year, but a $12.3 million dead cap hit, according to Spotrac. He also has three vacant years at the end of the contract. In other words, releasing him might save the Packers $5.4 million. Given that Rodgers will be 30 next year and has been injured for the majority of this season, it is simple to see why the Packers would decide to let him go.
Jones, on the other hand, is a dynamic running back when healthy and, if he can stay healthy, may be a huge part of the offense again next year. Dillon, on the other hand, has failed to live up to his draft position (second round pick in 2020). He has ran 171 times for 586 yards this season, for a career-low 3.4 yards per carry.
As he hits free agency, he will almost probably try to stay with the Packers; yet, as previously said, the organization may seek elsewhere.
An NFL analyst believes the Green Bay Packers should consider signing Antonio Gibson.
If the Packers elect to keep Jones for the rest of his deal (or extend it) but release Dillon, they will need to address the backup running back situation in the offseason. Patrick Taylor, James Robinson, Kenyon Drake, and Emanuel Wilson have all failed to impress enough to earn a spot as the team’s backup running back.
As a result, Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report advised that Green Bay sign former 1,000-yard rusher Antonio Gibson:
“During his four-year NFL career, Antonio Gibson has mostly gone unnoticed by the majority of fans.
“For the Washington Commanders, the 25-year-old developed into a valuable third-down back, and he could be one of the coveted second-tier running backs on the free-agent market.”
“Washington may be willing to not re-sign Gibson because it already has Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez on its roster and can’t afford to spend more money on a running back when the team needs to improve in all areas.”
“In free agency, Green Bay could swap Dillon for Gibson to have a true third-down back to support Aaron Jones.”
“Gibson caught over 40 passes in each of the last three seasons and he has a 1,000-yard rushing season on his resume from 2021.”
Gibson’s receiving talents might be very appealing to the Packers. Tansey points out that he has had more than 40 receptions in each of the last three seasons. He had 36 in his debut season. Gibson has 59 running attempts for 238 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and a score this season. He does, however, have 43 receptions for 344 yards (8.0 yards per reception) and two additional touchdowns.
Dillon has never recorded 40 receptions in a season, with 34 in 2021 being his career high. From 2019 to 2022, Jones recorded at least 40 receptions in every season.
Gibson’s receiving ability would undoubtedly bring a new dimension to the offense, as Green Bay has been without a competent backup receiving back in years. That being said, if the Packers do not re-sign Dillon, it seems unlikely that they will sign a backup. They will instead focus on the NFL Draft.
