AJ Dillon
Getty
The Eagles have lost running back AJ Dillon to the Panthers in free agency
The Philadelphia Eagles cannot seem to escape drama, even when the offseason arrives. Over the past few weeks, trade rumors have swirled around star wide receiver A.J. Brown, and that chatter likely won’t die down unless he gets dealt. In the meantime, the Eagles’ front office has attempted to keep its roster in tip-top shape, despite having that cloud hovering over its head.
Philly has been forced to make some tough decisions on its crop of free agents, with one guy who is a part of that group being veteran running back AJ Dillon. After playing sparingly for the Eagles in 2025, it seemed likely that Dillon would be finding a new home this offseason, and sure enough, it looks like he will be getting scooped up by the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers Sign AJ Dillon to 1-Year Contract
Jordan Schultz
Sources: The #Panthers are signing former Packers and Eagles RB AJ Dillon to a 1-year deal.
After losing Rico Dowdle, Carolina adds Dillon — who is in incredible shape — to join Chuba Hubbard and company in the Panthers’ RB room.
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dillon initially began his career with the Green Bay Packers, where he formed an effective one-two punch alongside Aaron Jones. Dillon was often the 1B option to Jones’ 1A, but he was still effective when he got the football, with his best season coming in 2021 (187 CAR, 803 YDS, 5 TD, 34 REC, 313 YDS, 2 TD).
Dillon’s career came to a screeching halt when he suffered a neck injury ahead of the 2024 campaign that caused him to miss the entire year. With Green Bay opting not to re-sign him, Dillon spent 2025 with the Eagles, but he got lost in a crowded running back room, as he finished the year with just 12 carries for 60 yards and three receptions for 21 yards.
Unsurprisingly, Dillon entered free agency looking for a bigger opportunity, and he has found it with the Panthers, who lost Rico Dowdle to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this offseason. After signing a one-year contract with Carolina, it appears likely Dillon will be working in tandem alongside Chuba Hubbard in 2026.
“Sources: The Panthers are signing former Packers and Eagles RB AJ Dillon to a 1-year deal,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported in a post on X. “After losing Rico Dowdle, Carolina adds Dillon — who is in incredible shape — to join Chuba Hubbard and company in the Panthers’ RB room.”
Eagles’ Running Back Depth Takes a Hit with AJ Dillon’s Departure
AJ Dillon
GettyThe Eagles have lost running back AJ Dillon to the Panthers in free agency
Anytime you are featured in a running back room that also contains Saquon Barkley, you aren’t going to get the lion’s share of touches. Beyond that, Philadelphia also had Will Shipley at its disposal, and it acquired Tank Bigsby in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars early in the season, so that pretty quickly cut Dillon out of the rotation.
After signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele earlier this offseason, the writing was on the wall for Dillon. His season with the Eagles may not have panned out as expected, but he managed to get his career back on track. Now, he will look to prove he has some juice left in the tank, while Philly will continue leaning on Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts for its production on the ground.