The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl last season but their offseason has been replacing some of the talent they’ve already lost. It started when offensive coordinator Kellen Moore took the head coaching position with the New Orleans Saints and continued in the opening hours of the NFL’s legal tampering window in free agency with defensive tackle Milton Williams and edge rusher Josh Sweat cashing in on big-money deals.
Kenneth Gainwell was the latest departure from the Eagles roster when he agreed to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday morning. While the move left a hole behind Saquon Barkley for the Eagles’ top backup running back, it lasted just a few hours before Philadelphia signed a bruiser for what could be a devastating combination next season.
Eagles Signing Bruising RB A.J. Dillon to Replace Kenneth Gainwell in Free Agency
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Eagles have agreed to a one-year deal with former Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2024 season with a neck injury but Garafolo adds that he has received clearance from the top neck specialists in the country as he looks to return to the field in 2025.
The move comes with some risk but Dillon could provide some significant muscle in the Eagles backfield if healthy. Dillon ran for 2,428 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Packers but his calling card was yards after contact. According to Pro Football Focus, the six-foot, 247-pounder has averaged 2.96 yards after contact during his career, although that number steadily declined from 3.44 in his rookie season in 2020 to 2.69 in 2023.
But Dillon has also been solid overall, posting a grade over 75 in all four seasons including grades of 86.2 in 2021 and 80.1.
Dillon joins a backfield that will continue to lean heavily on Barkley after he signed a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension earlier this week and still has 2024 fourth-round pick as another backup option.
After running their way through everyone to win a title last year, the Eagles backfield somehow got tougher, making Dillon a perfect fit for Philadelphia next season.