30 Most Important Eagles of 2025: No. 21 AJ Dillon
The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for Super Bowl defense, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. Several players, coaches, and front-office members are crucial to the team's success this season.
Every day from now until the start of training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Eagles for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025, and tackle the most significant question facing them this year.
Next up is running back AJ Dillon, a physical and impactful veteran, looking to return to the field after missing the entire 2024 season.
Background
Position: RB
Age: 27
Experience: 6th-year pro
2025 cap hit: $1,197,500
2024 recap
Last summer, Dillon was set to enter a contract year in 2024, but he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury and missed the entire season.
2025 outlook
Kenneth Gainwell departed for Pittsburgh after spending his first four NFL seasons in Philadelphia as the backup running back for the Eagles. Gainwell appeared in 66 games, including four starts, and carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards, a 4.2-yard average, and 12 touchdowns. Gainwell also had 102 receptions for 721 yards, a 7.1-yard average, and one touchdown. He also has 27 kickoff returns for 612 yards, a 22.7-yard average. Dillon and Aaron Jones teamed up in Green Bay for a dynamic one-two punch, and that could happen in Philadelphia with the Eagles looking to take some of the load off of Saquon Barkley following a season in which he led the league with 2,0005 yards.
Biggest question: Can Dillon take a load off Saquon Barkley?
Dillon was selected 62nd overall (second round) in the 2020 NFL Draft. The six-foot, 247-pound back, known as "Quadzilla" by Packers fans, has been cleared for action. Dillon averaged 15 games played per campaign in his time in Green Bay -- excluding the missed 2024 season -- but only started 11. Dillon recorded 2,186 rushing yards between 2021 and 2023. The 6-foot, 247-pound back ranked second on the Packers with 2,928 yards from scrimmage from 2021-23, posting 50+ yards from scrimmage in 30 games. Two years ago, before the injury, Dillon appeared in 15 games with six starts during the 2023 season, posting 613 yards and two touchdowns on 178 carries while adding 22 receptions for 223 yards in the passing game.
30 Most Important Eagles of 2025
We're counting down our 30 Most Important Eagles of 2025. Check back every day leading up to the start of training camp.
No. 30 OL Kendall Lamm, No. 29 Azeez Ojulari, No. 28 Kevin Patullo, No. 27 Will Shipley, No. 26 Moro Ojomo, No. 25 Andrew Mukuba, No. 24 Tanner McKee, No. 23 Jahan Dotson, No. 22 Tyler Steen
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