Packers running back AJ Dillon says he wants to make 'defenses feel me'

With a nickname like Quadzilla, you expect this brash vibe from Packers running back AJ Dillon. He’s definitely a throw back kind of runner.

In a recent interview, Dillon talked about how he wanted to be more “passionate” when he’s running the ball. And here’s his roundabout way of describing what passionate means to a bruiser of a player.

“I think I just really need to play just a little bit more — it’s hard to put a word on it — but like passionate,” AJ Dillon said to the Associated Press. “I think I need to go out there and just play a little bit more reckless, so not trying to play perfect, not trying to play perfect football. Nobody does. Just kind of go out there and for a lack of words, kind of make defenses feel me.”

And he added even more to the idea of passion on the field.

“Even though we might be running and there’s only four yards here to get, make it a hard four yards,” AJ Dillon said. “Make sure the next time running the ball, those defenders feel that, they think about it next time, and just kind of deliver the blow a little bit more.”

The Packers will begin the post-Aaron Rodgers era this Friday with a road game against the Bengals. Jordan Love will start at quarterback, although it’s not clear how much he’ll play. But when the regular season starts, he’ll be able to rely on a physical running attack. That surely will help a young quarterback trying to find his way in his first season as a starter.

There’s AJ Dillon. And then there’s Aaron Jones. Dillon rushed for 770 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, Jones gained 1,121 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.

For a big, physical guy with 34-inch thighs, Dillon has a much softer side to him. In the offseason, he wrote a children’s book he called “Quadzilla Finds His Footing.” In this fictional world, Quadzilla is a dinosaur. Dillon tweeted the book details back in July. He also credits his mother, who is a teacher and assistant principal, for inspiring him to be an avid reader and writer.

Ways to purchase “Quadzilla Finds His Footing”

Direct from publisher: https://t.co/nPkyUMKhmF
Amazon: https://t.co/IJJ32C5bEB
Barnes & Noble: https://t.co/pSfzsdYUso
Packers Pro Shop: https://t.co/4ZcB0tYJph

Ps: If you already have the book and are inclined to write a good…

— AJ Dillon (@ajdillon7) July 12, 2023

And besides his book, Dillon and his wife enjoyed a major life moment this offseason by adding to their family. They welcomed son, Trey, back in May. He shares the same birthday as his dad. Trey also made a visit to a Packers practice this past Saturday. After all, it was family night.

Now, it’s time for football. The Packers selected Dillon, the former Boston College star, in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s now in his final season of his contract. So it’s a money year and he’d like to stay in Green Bay.

“I’m not satisfied with really how I performed last year,” AJ Dillon said. “Let’s look back at when I have been really successful and how I approached the game and, yeah, looking back a little bit, looking back at those highlights, going back to what was my mindset when I was in college when I was dominating the ACC, what was that like and trying to just get to that mindset.”