We love AJ Dillon, but he has work to do.

AJ Dillon is a fan favorite and always will be, but the Green Bay Packers have a difficult decision to make.

After signing Dillon to a rare team-friendly qualifying offer, they gave themselves an easy way out of the contract. It proved he wasn’t guaranteed to remain part of their plans, even this season. Dillon arrived at training camp in great shape and has played well in practice.

However, he struggled in the preseason opener.

Dillon is expected to consistently pick up first downs in short-yardage situations and fight through contact. We didn’t see enough of it last season, and those concerns reemerged in Saturday’s win over the Cleveland Browns.

He had four carries, all on the Packers’ second possession, resulting in just two yards. The drive ended when Dillon couldn’t convert a 4th-and-1.

Packers’ running back depth places AJ Dillon’s future in doubt

It’s important not to overreact to one drive in a preseason game, but the same concerns were there last year. He averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per attempt in 2023, having never previously fallen below 4.1.

The Packers improved their running back depth in the offseason, increasing the pressure on Dillon.

Josh Jacobs will dominate the carries as the featured back, and third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd is also a roster lock, although he suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday. When Lloyd is healthy, he will compete for the No. 2 job.

Dillon also has to worry about second-year Emanuel Wilson, who keeps making plays at practice and put in a strong performance in the preseason opener. He had 13 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown against the Browns.

Wilson may give the Packers no choice but to find room for him on the roster, just as he did a year ago. By Week 1, it’s entirely possible Green Bay’s top three will be Jacobs, Lloyd, and Wilson.