"If you're a football fan, you know about the Eagles' offensive line."
In his first press conference as an Eagle, A.J. Dillon shared his excitement for getting to run behind one of the league's top units.
Dillon signed a one-year contract with the Eagles on Friday after spending the last five seasons with the Packers.
"I'm excited for the opportunity the Eagles have given me and I'm excited to be here," Dillon said while meeting with reporters virtually at the NovaCare Complex on Friday. "I know Philadelphia fans are awesome, so I'm just excited to get the full experience and help this team win however I can."
The 26-year-old touched the ball 597 times for 2,428 yards and 16 touchdowns during his time in Green Bay.
The former 2020 second-round pick ranked second on the Packers with 2,928 yards from scrimmage from 2021-23, posting 50+ yards from scrimmage in 30 games.
Now, he will team up with 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley to create one of the most powerful running back duos in the league.
"You can see, he breaks off a long run and everybody's fired up. I think that's something, obviously the football, the talent and things, everybody knows that. But the intangibles of being able to get the team going I think is super, super key, and I think he's a great leader," Dillon said.
"As for my role and how I can help, the way I approach the game, the way I play football – I love to play football. I'm just excited to go out there every time and make the most of every opportunity. What that looks like, how it is done, as long as I'm in the right place doing the right things being accountable, I'm good, I'm having a great time. So, I'll let my game, I'll let all that stuff speak for itself. I'm excited to get started."
At 6-foot, 247 pounds, Dillon brings his sheer athleticism and size to the running back room which outside of Barkley consists of Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols, and Will Shipley.
Although Philadelphia will be just the second place he's ever played in the NFL, the Baltimore native is confident the adjustment will be seamless.
"I think I can fit in any scheme, any offense. I think what they have here is great. It's one of those wheels that keeps rolling. They do obviously extremely well, and they have so many tools. There's so many ways that the running back can be used and be helpful. I love the way that you can rip off an RPO, and you've got talent on the outside playing receiver, running back, tight end – every single position," Dillon said.
"It really allows everybody to impact the offense. It really keeps the defense in one of those guessing games. Who's going to make the big play today? Who do we have to try to stop?"
Before missing the 2024 season with a neck injury, the former Boston College Eagle was productive and consistent, missing only two games from 2021-23. In fact, He was one of only two running backs in the league (Najee Harris) to rush for 750-plus yards and play in all 17 games in both 2021 and 2022.
Still at a young age and with a considerable amount of NFL experience, Philadelphia is a place Dillon can get right back on track in 2025.
The idea of playing behind the Eagles' offensive line was too good to pass up on.
"When I look at what this team has done not only last year, but in years past leading up to the Super Bowl run – as a running back, as someone who loves to play good, hard, tough football – this is somewhere I wanted to be a part of," Dillon said.
"Just being in here 24 hours, the culture is great. I'm excited to get started." – Written by Liam Wichser
