AJ Dillon didn’t just step onto the field in his Philadelphia Eagles debut—he stormed it, delivering a performance that left the Green Bay Packers red-faced and regretting their decision to let him go. After a tough final season in Green Bay and a year sidelined by injury, Dillon wasted no time proving he’s still a force to be reckoned with, turning heads in a preseason cameo that screamed, “You should’ve kept me!”
On Thursday night, Dillon showcased his explosive potential in just 17 snaps, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry on five attempts and hauling in three passes for 27 yards. With only eight touches, he racked up 52 yards, slicing through defenses with a sharpness that echoed his early-career dominance. One particular cut was so slick it could’ve made Packers star Josh Jacobs tip his cap in admiration. Playing behind the Eagles’ vaunted offensive line, Dillon made every opportunity count, reminding everyone why he was a second-round pick.
This wasn’t the same Dillon who struggled as Green Bay’s RB2 in 2023, where he posted a career-low 3.4 yards per attempt and faltered in short-yardage situations. The Packers moved on, rebuilding their backfield around Jacobs, with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks stepping up and second-year back MarShawn Lloyd pegged as a potential spark. But Dillon’s fresh start in Philadelphia looks like a masterstroke, and his debut was a loud statement: he’s not done yet.
Signing a one-year, prove-it deal with the Eagles, Dillon is in a heated battle with Will Shipley for snaps behind All-Pro Saquon Barkley. Yet, his limited but electric preseason showing suggests he’s ready to claim a significant role. The Eagles’ confidence in him was clear—he didn’t need a full game to make an impact. With arguably the NFL’s best offensive line paving the way, Dillon’s tackle-breaking, bruising style was on full display, harking back to his early days in Green Bay when he was a nightmare for defenders.
The box score might not scream superstar, but that’s only because his snaps were limited. What Dillon did with those snaps, though, was nothing short of a wake-up call. He’s been turning heads in Eagles camp, and this performance was the exclamation point. For a player who felt cast aside by the Packers, who showed little interest in re-signing him, this was more than a debut—it was a message. Dillon isn’t just back; he’s better than ever, and Green Bay might just be kicking themselves for letting him walk.
It’s only the preseason, and Dillon still has plenty to prove in a competitive Eagles backfield. But if this debut is any indication, he’s not just fighting for a roster spot—he’s gunning to make the Packers pay for underestimating him. One game was all it took for AJ Dillon to remind the NFL, and Green Bay in particular, that he’s still a game-changer.