The Green Bay Packers have a promising future ahead of them, thanks in part to the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts netting them numerous players that are primed to take monumental steps forward in 2024. There is even a great deal of optimism surrounding their 2024 draft class, which will have two representatives in attendance at the NFL Rookie Premiere.
While it is still too early to tell, the general consensus among Packers fans is that general manager Brian Gutekunst had a great draft for the third year in a row. And, according to fans, it is a good thing because a few of his draft classes prior to 2022 left a great deal to be desired.
AJ Dillon and Jordan Love Are the Only 2 Players Remaining from the Green Bay Packers’ 2020 NFL Draft
Gutekunst created tremendous waves around the NFL when he traded up to take Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Of course, this selection was a surprise to everyone, including future Hall of Famer quarterback Aaron Rodgers whose relationship with the organization was strained as a result.
In the second round that year, Gutekunst selected running back AJ Dillon out of Boston College. No other players taken by the Packers in that year’s draft remain with the team:
- Josiah Deguara
- Kamal Martin
- Jon Runyan Jr.
- Jake Hanson
- Simon Stepaniak
- Vernon Scott
- Jonathan Garvin
Of those players, only Deguara, Runyan, and Hanson are currently on NFL rosters.
Jordan Love and AJ Dillon Became Friends Before the 2020 NFL Draft
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
In an interview with Christopher Kuhagen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dillon revealed that he and Love had actually lived together and became friends before they were selected by the Packers in the 2020 NFL Draft.
They signed with the same sports agency before the draft and became fast friends. Dillon told Kuhagen: “”We got to know each other really well. We got a great friendship, started before we became teammates. Came a long ways.”
Their friendship extends beyond the gridiron, too. Love and Dillon have teamed up in the past to participate in charity softball games during the offseason to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America.
AJ Dillon Wants to Help Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers Win the Super Bowl
It is the goal of every NFL player (presumably) to win the Super Bowl. For all teams, that should be the goal each and every year. It certainly is in Green Bay.
However, according to what he told Kurhagen, Dillon doesn’t just want to win the Super Bowl for himself. He wants to do it with and for his friend:
“Jordan Love, he’s one of my good friends. I’ve seen his whole process. For me, I want to be there with him, help him out. I want to help go get that ring.
“It’s awesome. I want to be part of it, to be able to experience that with one of my best friends on and off the field.”
In the past, head coach Matt LaFleur has stated several times that he loves how last year’s team played for each other. Dillon took less money than he could have gotten elsewhere to stay in Green Bay because this is where he wants to be; this is where he wants to win.
Green Bay is where his friend is. Hopefully they will accomplish the ultimate goal this season and bring the Lombardi Trophy back home where it belongs.
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!
