Former Green Bay Packers second-round running back AJ Dillon will continue his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers next season. Dillon expressed his excitement about that development in a short post on X after his free agent signing.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Wednesday that Dillon was joining the Panthers on a 1-year contract. In response to Schultz breaking the news on X, Dillon added his own post.
“Let’s go,” wrote Dillon with several extra O’s and many exclamation points.
The running back also used the hashtag, “Keep Pounding” and tagged his new team.
Dillon played last season for the Philadelphia Eagles. He ran for 60 yards on 12 carries in seven games. It was his first season back on the field after suffering a neck injury in 2024.
The running back started his career with the Packers. From 2020-23, he gained 2,428 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns.
AJ Dillon Lands With Carolina Panthers
The Packers signed Dillon to a second contract in 2024. But it was a 1-year deal worth $2.575 million, valued at only $1.125 million against the salary cap.
Going into a second contract seasons with Green Bay, the running back then suffered his neck injury. He missed the entire 2024 campaign.
Dillon signed with the Eagles early in 2026 free agency. But he didn’t play a major role for the team. He finished fourth for Philadelphia in rushing yards behind Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts and Tank Bigsby.
In Carolina, Dillon is joining a running back room that already includes Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne. The Panthers will try to replace 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle from their 2025 roster. Dowdle signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL free agency.
The Panthers also have running backs Anthony Tyus III and Montrell Johnson Jr. on their roster.
Packers RB Depth in 2026 NFL Offseason
In Green Bay, the Packers are set to enter their third straight season with Josh Jacobs as their primary back.
But the Packers could still be in the market to add running back depth. Green Bay lost RB2 Emanuel Wilson to the Seattle Seahawks in NFL free agency.
Wilson rushed for 496 yards last season. With Wilson’s departure, the only Packers running back besides Jacobs returning on their roster who recorded a carry during the 2025 regular season is Chris Brooks.
Dillon eclipsed the 600-yard mark three years in a row in Matt LaFleur’s offense from 2021-23. During that time, he played a complimentary role to starting running back Aaron Jones.
In 2021, Dillon rushed for a career-high 803 yards. He added 770 yards on the ground with a career-best seven rushing touchdowns during 2022.
Dillon starred at Boston College as a college player. He registered at least 300 carries in a season for the Golden Eagles twice. During his final college campaign, he ran for an ACC-high 1,685 yards.
The Packers will host the Panthers during the 2026 regular season. That will give Dillon an opportunity to play in front of the Green Bay crowd at Lambeau Field again.
The Eagles visited Green Bay last year, but Dillon didn’t dress for that Monday night contest on November 10.
Ex-Packers’ AJ Dillon Fires Short Message After Joining NFC Contender