The return of running back A.J. Dillon will cost the Green Bay Packers next to nothing on the salary cap in 2024. According to Over the Cap, Dillon’s cap number will be $1,292,500 this season.
The Packers and Dillon agreed to four-year player qualifying contract (more from OTC here). Under this unique and rarely used contract mechanism, Dillon will earn a $2,575,000 base salary and a $167,500 signing bonus, but only $1,292,500 will count against the cap.
How small is Dillon’s cap hit? He’ll account for roughly 0.5 percent of the total salary cap, and his cap number is roughly the same as Tucker Kraft and Sean Rhyan, two recent third-round picks on rookie contracts.
Last season, Dillon averaged 3.4 yards per rush and scored only two touchdowns on 200 total touches. But Dillon has a career rushing success rate of 55.6 percent, a top-10 mark among running backs since 2020. He knows Matt LaFleur’s offense and is a capable receiver and blocker.
Dillon, a second-round pick in 2020, reportedly had outside interest from several teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. It’s safe to assume he took less money to stay in Green Bay, where he’s openly admitted he wanted to stay long term.
Dillon’s contract won’t guarantee he’s on the roster in 2024, but it’s a good bet that he’ll be part of the backup plan behind Josh Jacobs.
