This Starter Won't Be Back With the Packers in 2021
By Andrew Gullotta
We can all agree that the Green Bay Packers had a surprising draft. They selected Jordan Love in the first round with Aaron Rodgers under contract until 2024 and picked running back AJ Dillon with Pro Bowler Aaron Jones and backup Jamaal Williams at the position.
Fans can safely assume that the team is preparing for the future, and as early as next offseason.
With incoming turnover on Green Bay's roster after 2020, it seems more and more likely that the Packers are prepping Dillon to become their feature back and will let Jones hit free agency in 2021.
Aaron Jones on drafting AJ Dillon:
— Packer Report (@PackerReport66) May 27, 2020
"I know I have no control over that. Doesn't disappoint me. I know they are bringing in competition to keep the rooms competitive. It's the NFL, you never know what can happen."
And sadly, there are many valid reasons why the Packers would want to move on from Jones. First off, he's likely going to command top dollar after his tremendous 2019 (assuming he comes close to that production in 2020), and Green Bay probably won't want to sink that kind of money into an expendable position with a possible rookie standout on the roster.
Additionally, Jones only has one full season under his belt in the NFL. Yes, he had a great campaign in that debut, leading the league with 16 rushing touchdowns, but there's no guarantee that stellar play can be sustained given the small sample size.
AJ Dillon - not only 2020 Rookie RB1 but NFL RB1 OVERALL?
— Drake Jordan (@DynastyChamp1) May 24, 2020
-2nd rnd draft capital means he will be week 1 starter over Jones (5th rnd)
-Rodgers is pissed and will want to prove he can still win games
-AJ will be biggest (245 lb) RB in the league, defenders wont be able to stop him pic.twitter.com/MsX2HNEtZ4
Combine these question marks with the selection of Dillon, and it seems very possible that the 2019 Pro Bowler may need to look for a new team in free agency next offseason.