Houston Texans and former Buffalo Bills running back is expected to join the Green Bay Packers in 2024.
The situation involving the running backs for the Green Bay Packers is far less uncertain than many had anticipated before the season ended. Many people believed that Green Bay would part ways with Aaron Jones, the third-best rusher in franchise history and one-time Pro Bowler, after Jones suffered multiple injuries last season. Stated differently, the Packers would require a new starting running back.
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The situation appeared particularly dire when 2020 second-round pick AJ Dillon was unable to step up to the plate in Jones’ absence. Rather, Dillon had a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry and saw a decline in his total output for the second consecutive season. Stated differently, it appeared as though the Packers would require two new running backs.
However, Jones made a comeback in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers. The first of five straight 100-yard performances served as impetus for the Packers’ stunning NFL playoff run. Additionally, it was the first time in the history of the team that a running back had gained 100 yards or more in five straight games.
General manager Brian Gutekunst, who referred to Jones as the “heartbeat” of the team, stated during his press conference at the end of the season that he anticipates Jones’ return in 2024. If there isn’t an extension, Jones’ contract will expire after the upcoming season. Either way, Dillon’s circumstances remain unchanged by Jones’ return. The numerous injuries the Packers sustained in 2023 demonstrated the need for them to acquire more top-notch depth players at various positions. They might try to replace Dillon at running back by hitting the free agent market.
Is Devin Singletary available for a free agent sign with the Green Bay Packers?
Jan. 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA: In an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium, Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26), scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Required
PFF identified the Packers as possible suitors for two different running backs: Tony Pollard and Devin Singletary (read about Pollard’s fit with the Packers here) in an article predicting possible landing spots of each free agent running back.
Regarding Singletary, PFF stated:
“In Houston, Singletary demonstrated his skill as a zone runner by taking over as the starting back in Week 9 and going on to rank 18th at the position with a 79.4 rushing grade.” Despite his size, Singletary’s 2.9 yards after contact per attempt placed him in the top 30, and he was increasingly used as a check-down outlet. Singletary is a reliable member of a rotation, even though Green Bay might prefer a larger pack to pair with Aaron Jones—and not just because of the loss of A.J. Dillon.
Singletary’s output would undoubtedly be superior to Dillon’s. Singletary averaged 4.2 yards per carry in the previous season, setting a career-high 898 rushing yards. Singletary shared carries with another back in Houston, just like Dillon, so sharing the load with Jones in Green Bay would not be a foreign scenario.
Given Singletary’s output in his first five seasons of the NFL (5,213 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns), the Packers should consider pursuing him in free agency in order to bolster their roster.
As much as Singletary makes sense on paper, the real question is whether the Packers’ plans and business history allow for the pursuit of a running back of his caliber. Although Green Bay has previously signed free agents to the position, these players were not typically expected to play significant roles for the team. James Robinson was signed by the Packers just the previous season, but they largely kept him hidden on their practice squad.
Singletary is young enough and has played in enough games that some teams may try to sign him as a premier back, even though he won’t command the same salary as elite running back free agents like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley. They will most likely make him a better offer than Green Bay would be willing to accept if that is the case.
It’s also critical to take into account the Packers’ track record of selecting, training, and employing running backs. Jones will be in his eighth season with the Packers in 2019, which is practically unheard of for a running back in Green Bay. Not even Ryan Grant, Edgar Bennett, or Dorsey Levens, the franchise greats, stayed with the team for that long. Of the current Packers running backs, only Ahman Green can be counted on to have spent eight seasons on the field.
It is unlikely that the Packers will pursue Singletary in free agency given these considerations. Instead, they will likely select a running back who will be considered as Jones’ replacement and split carries with him with one of their five top 100 draft selections. They might also select a bruiser-style back, such as Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen, to provide an offensive style variation.
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