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The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon to a one-year deal, ESPN reported. Dillon will join an Eagles rushing attack that ranked second in the NFL last season, thanks in large part to Saquon Barkley, who was the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year.
Dillon will help Philly replace Barkley's primary backup Kenneth Gainwell after he departed for Pittsburgh in free agency. The 26-year-old will compete for snaps alongside second-year player Will Shipley.
Drafted in the second round by Green Bay in 2020, Dillon became known for his enormous leg muscles and earned nicknames like "The Quadfather" and "Quadzilla". The former Boston College back put up 803 rushing yards in 2021 but his yardage slightly dipped in the following two seasons.
The Packers re-signed Dillon in 2024 but a neck stinger suffered in training camp kept him out for the entire season. The same injury sidelined him late in 2023 but Dillon has said he expects to be ready for the 2025 season.
In 60 career games, Dillon has rushed for 2,428 yards on 597 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. He has scored 18 total touchdowns and only lost one fumble.
Some fans may remember Dillon from a viral moment at a July 2022 game for a summer collegiate baseball team. Dillon squared off in an Oklahoma drill against the mascot for the Kenosha Kingfish at a baseball game, knocking the costume head off the performer's body.
Before the NFL, Dillon dominated at Boston College, leading BC to three bowl-game appearances and earning third-team All-American honors in 2019. He rushed for 4,382 yards and 38 touchdowns during his time in Chestnut Hill.
The New London, Connecticut, native played for the city's high school before transferring to Lawrence Academy. Rivals.com ranked Dillon as the No. 1 player in Massachusetts in the class of 2017.
Dillon was born in Baltimore and started the Dillon Family Foundation, donating more than $45,000 since July 2024.
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