While the start of the offseason has been focused on the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive departures in free agency, the Super Bowl Champions made a significant addition to its backfield by signing former Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon. Not only does Dillon bring a big personality, but his size and skill set make him a major upgrade behind Saquon Barkley.
At 6 feet tall and 247 pounds, Dillon is a much bigger, more physical presence than Kenneth Gainwell, who stood at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds. His massive hands and ability as a route runner have long been praised by Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who once said:
“Not too many backs that size have those types of hands," LaFluer has said of Dillon during a press conference.
And don’t forgot he has massive quads, leading to some referring to Dillon as the “quadfather" or "quadzilla”
And if you’re wondering whether Dillon can bring the physicality, there's a viral video of him destroying the Kenosha Kingfish’s mascot in an Oklahoma drill.
The Eagles relied heavily on Barkley last season, handing him the ball more than any other running back in the NFL. He posted a career-high in touches, leading an Eagles offense that attempted a league-high 621 rushes—far more than any other team.
With that kind of workload, Philadelphia needed a punishing, downhill runner to spell Barkley and keep him fresh. That’s exactly where Dillon comes in, of course when healthy. He missed all of last season with a neck injury.
The Eagles officially said goodbye to Gainwell, who signed a free-agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's reuniting with former Eagles star Darius Slay, leading to the need for another running back.
While a side-by-side comparison of their stats doesn’t show a massive gap, Dillon’s size and ability as a power back give the Eagles a more effective way to manage Barkley’s workload.
Dillon has a clear edge in traditional rushing stats, having logged 597 carries for 2,428 yards (4.1 yards per attempt) and 16 touchdowns over 60 games. His power-running style allows him to absorb contact and wear down defenses.
Drafted just nine spots behind Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in 2020 during the 2nd round, Dillon has the 4th most rushing yards of his draft class among running backs. That's with him missing an entire season and being a primary backup in Green Bay.
Gainwell, who has never rushed for more than 78 yards in a single game, has 280 carries for 1,185 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) and 12 rushing touchdowns over 66 games. While he averages slightly more yards per carry, his lower rushing volume suggests he’s used more situationally rather than as a primary workhorse back.
Gainwell makes up for his smaller size with his versatility in the passing game. He has 102 receptions for 721 yards (7.1 yards per catch) and one receiving touchdown, making him a reliable option for quick passes and screens.
Dillon, despite being a bigger back, has 86 receptions for 763 yards (8.9 yards per catch) and two receiving touchdowns. While he has slightly fewer catches, his yards per reception are higher, showing that he can be effective when utilized as a receiver.
The comparison between Gainwell and Dillon comes down to size and role. Dillon’s bigger frame and power-running ability allow him to be a high-volume rusher, while Gainwell’s versatility as a receiver and returner makes him a valuable multi-purpose player. Both backs have their strengths, but their usage reflects different approaches to the running back position.
The Eagles, of course, also have Will Shipley, who they drafted last year in the 4th round and could challenge Dillon for playing time in what could be a training camp battle to watch.
Shipley mostly saw action on special teams as a rookie out of Clemson, but that could change in 2025.
If Dillon is fully healthy, this move gives the Eagles a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield as they chase another championship.