For Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon, the continued emphasis is on consistency and not pressing or overthinking when he’s on the field.
“The biggest thing is just making sure he’s not overthinking when he’s out there,” said running backs coach Ben Sirmans on Monday. “Looking at different games he’s had last year, he’s looked like his old self. There’s been runs this year where he’s looked that way. I think for him it’s just a matter of not trying to press to try to be something and be great.”
Dillon is in need of a bounce-back season after a down 2022 campaign, both for himself, as he is set to be a free agent this upcoming offseason, but also for the Packers, who have had to rely on him heavily with Aaron Jones missing two games and the importance that the run game plays in the Matt LaFleur offense.
However, through four games, it has been tough sledding. On 44 carries, Dillon is averaging only 2.7 yards per rush. He has only one run of 10-plus yards and is averaging only 2.31 yards after contact, which ranks 41st out of 56 eligible running backs, according to PFF. Dillon hasn’t been much of a factor in the passing game, either.
More often than not, we haven’t seen the burst or power that Dillon had ran with earlier in his career. The Tennessee game in Week 16 as a rookie is what comes to mind first. He’s also missed running lanes, been off-balance at times as well, and isn’t breaking tackles.
“That’s part of the things that we’ve talked about with him,” said Sirmans. “That’s why I keep saying, I just want to make sure he’s not out there pressing because you’re right, that year (2020), it looked like he was going to be a different type of dude. That’s something I talk to him about.
“I think that as he tries to elevate his game, sometimes you can overthink your abilities and just get out there and play. If you’re out there thinking too much about how I need to do this or I need to be this type of guy, that’s going to take away from you playing natural football. So that’s the biggest thing, just get out there and be natural. Let your abilities speak for themselves.”
To be fair, the offensive line hasn’t done a great job of giving Dillon many running lanes, and he doesn’t have the ability to create for himself like Aaron Jones. There have also been several instances where he’s been hit in the backfield before he even gets the opportunity to make a play. As a team, Green Bay is averaging just 3.3 yards per rush, which ranks 29th in the NFL.
As Dillon talked about over the offseason, the emphasis for him coming into 2023 was on running with a lower pad level to use his size and strength to his advantage and, as he put it, trying to be dominant rather than perfect as a ball carrier.
With Dillon and Jones often playing close to a 50/50 split each week in terms of snap count, Dillon is a key part of this offense. So if the run game is going to turn around at some point, while that responsibility ultimately falls on all 11 players on the field, Dillon finding more success with the ball in his hands is a must.
“Just let the game do more of coming to him,” added Sirmans, “and when he relaxes and does that, he’ll be fine. If you’re out there thinking too much about I need to do this or I need to be this type of guy, then that’s going to take away from you playing natural football.”