The Green Bay Packers running back situation is far from as uncertain as many thought it would be prior to the end of the season. When Aaron Jones went down with multiple injuries this past year, many assumed that Green Bay would use the injuries as a reason to move on from the one-time Pro Bowler and third all-time leading rusher in franchise history. In other words, the Packers would need a new primary running back.
The situation seemed especially dire when, in Jones’ absence, 2020 second round pick AJ Dillon failed to adequately pick up the slack. Instead, Dillon had a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry and, for the second straight season, saw his overall production decrease. In other words, it seemed as if the Packers would need two new running backs.
But then Jones returned against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. That game was the first of five consecutive 100-yard games that helped propel the Packers’ unexpected NFL playoff run. It was also the first time in franchise history that any running back rushed for 100 or more yards in five consecutive games.
In his end of season press conference, general manager Brian Gutekunst revealed that he expects Jones to be back in 2024, calling him the “heartbeat” of the team. Next season will be the final year of Jones’ contract barring an extension. In any case, Jones’ return does nothing to affect Dillon’s situation. As the plethora of injures the Packers suffered in 2023 showed, they need more quality depth players at multiple positions. When it comes to running back, they may look to the free agent market to replace Dillon.
Could the Green Bay Packers Look to Devin Singletary in Free Agency?
In an article predicting possible landing spots of each free agent running back, PFF listed the Packers as potential suitors for two different back: Tony Pollard and Devin Singletary (read about Pollard’s fit with the Packers here).
Of Singletary, PFF wrote:
“Singletary showed proficiency as a zone runner in Houston, becoming the starting back in Week 9 and earning a 79.4 rushing grade from that point forward, which ranked 18th at the position. Singletary’s 2.9 yards after contact per attempt ranked inside the top 30 despite his size, and he was leaned on more and more as a check-down outlet, as well. Green Bay may prefer a bigger pack to pair with Aaron Jones, not just because of the loss of A.J. Dillon, but Singletary is a solid piece of a rotation.”
Singletary would certainly be an upgrade from Dillon in terms of production. Last season, Singletary had a career-high 898 rushing yards while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Like Dillon, Singletary split carries with another back in Houston, so coming to Green Bay to share the load with Jones would not be an unfamiliar situation.
Furthermore, Singletary has had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his past three seasons. In his first two seasons, he never had fewer than 956 all-purpose yards.
Based on his production over the first five seasons of his career (5,213 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns), the Packers certainly could take a look at improving their roster by going after Singletary in free agency.
Will the Green Bay Packers Look at Devin Singletary in Free Agency?
As much as Singletary makes sense on paper, the real question is if pursuing a running back of his caliber fits into the Packers’ plans/history of doing business. While Green Bay has signed free agent running backs in the past, they are not usually ones that were predicted to have big roles on the team. Just last season, the Packers signed James Robinson, but kept him stashed away on their practice squad for most of the time he was with the team.
While Singletary will not fetch a salary as big as top-tier running back free agents like Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry, he is young enough and has few enough carries that some team may look to sign him as a premier back. If that is the case, they will almost certainly offer him more than Green Bay would be willing to pay.
It is also important to consider the Packers’ history of drafting, developing, and using running backs. Next season will be Jones’ eighth with the Packers, an almost unprecedented tenure when it comes to running backs in Green Bay. Not even franchise legends Dorsey Levens, Edgar Bennett, and Ryan Grant were with the team that long. Only Ahman Green can be counted among recent Packers running backs to have played eight seasons with the team.
Keeping these factors in mind, it is not likely that the Packers will pursue Singletary in free agency. Instead, they will probably use one of their five top 100 draft picks on a running back who will be touted as Jones’ successor while also splitting carries with him. They may also draft a bruiser-style back, like Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen, to be a change of style type player on the offense.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
