In March, top running back signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, hoping to jumpstart his career after sitting out the entire 2024 season.
Philadelphia added him Dillon to help fill the void left by Kenny Gainwell’s departure and to serve as a complement to All-Pro back Saquon Barkley. However, not everyone is convinced he will make it through training camp.
In a roster projection, Jimmy Kempski of The Philly Voice left top veteran off the Eagles’ final 53-man roster, instead listing Will Shipley, Avery Williams, and Ben VanSumeren as the backs behind Barkley.
Shipley appears to be a roster lock, but the idea of Williams and VanSumeren making the team over top star might surprise some. Let’s examine how Shipley and Dillon compare in the battle for the RB2 role.
A second-round pick by the Packers in 2020, A.J. Dillon built a reputation as a tough, downhill runner over four seasons in Green Bay. His most productive year came in 2021, when he ran for 803 yards and five touchdowns on 187 carries (averaging 4.3 yards per attempt) and added 34 receptions for 313 yards and two scores through the air.
However, Dillon’s output dipped in the following years. In 2023, he managed 613 yards on 178 carries — a modest 3.4 yards per carry — before a neck injury ended his season prematurely and sidelined him for all of 2024. Now medically cleared, he’s aiming for a comeback in 2025.
Over 60 games with the Packers, Dillon totaled 2,428 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, along with 86 receptions for 763 yards and two more scores. Nicknamed “Quadzilla” thanks to his massive lower-body strength — he claims a 615-pound max squat — Dillon seems like a physical match for a Philly offense built around power players like Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.
Despite his experience and skillset, there are valid concerns. The recent neck injury casts a shadow over his durability, and while his \$1.3 million deal is low-risk financially, it wouldn’t create significant cap relief if the Eagles chose to move on. Dillon’s veteran edge over rookie Will Shipley is clear, but his health and current form may ultimately determine who wins the RB2 role.
A Look at What RB Will Shipley Brings to the Table
Will Shipley entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (127th overall) in 2024 and made his mark as a rookie primarily on special teams. He returned six kickoffs for 173 yards — an impressive 28.8-yard average — and contributed modestly on offense with 30 carries for 82 yards and four catches for 35 yards.
Though most of his offensive snaps came in lopsided games, Shipley showed enough potential to suggest he could fill — and possibly exceed — the role vacated by Kenny Gainwell. “The Eagles feel that way, based on things I’ve heard,” wrote Jimmy Kempski, adding that Philadelphia’s lack of urgency in re-signing Gainwell reflects their confidence in Shipley.
His most impactful moment came in the 2025 NFC Championship Game, where he dominated a pivotal 80-yard drive, accounting for 77 of those yards and finishing it off with a 2-yard touchdown. That performance helped the Eagles punch their ticket to Super Bowl 59, which they won convincingly over the Kansas City Chiefs, 40–22.
With his ability to run, catch, and return kicks, Shipley brings versatility that makes him a valuable asset heading into 2025. He’s likely the frontrunner for the RB2 spot behind Saquon Barkley. Still, A.J. Dillon shouldn’t be counted out. At just 27 and fully recovered from injury, Dillon is a seasoned power back who could give the Eagles valuable depth — if he stays healthy through training camp.