CHARLOTTE The Panthers' backfield got a little stronger this week with the addition of running backAJ Dillon.
Dillon spent five years with the Green Bay Packers before spending one year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dillon has agreed to terms with Carolina, joiningChuba Hubbard,Jonathon Brooks, andTrevor Etiennein the running back room.
Before Dillon gets to town, get to know the new rusher with these fast five facts.
They call him Quadzilla
Dillon is known for his otherworldly lower-body strength, particularly in his quads.According to ESPN in 2022, Dillon's quad circumference measured 34", though the back admitted that was with sweatpants on, so it might be more like 33". It's still a few more than Saquon Barkley, who, for reference, measured in at 29" at the time.
Dillon said his squat max is 675.
Wrote a children's book
Dillon turned his nickname into inspiration by penning a children's book, "Quadzilla Finds His Footing."
It was released in early 2023 and follows a dinosaur, Quadzilla, who struggles to find activities he's good at until he discovers football.
"The message is to try new things and try new things with people who support you," said AJ Dillon at the time. "People who are your friends. Don't get discouraged if you're not necessarily the best right away."
Mayor of Door County
While with the Packers, Dillon fell in love with the Upper Peninsula of Wisconsin, Door County, and became an outspoken ambassador for the area. Door County is known for many things, including a goat parade that kicks off the summer season, during which goats come down the main road in one of the towns and are led onto the roof of a local iconic restaurant, where they stay for the duration of the summer.
Dillon was given the rare honor of marshaling the parade one summer and leading the goats onto the roof. That same day, he was given the key to the countythe first person ever to receive the commendation in the almost 200-year historyand the unofficial title "The Mayor of Door County."
Boston College legend
Dillon left quite a legacy at Boston College. He was there from 2017-2019, a major contributor all three seasons, playing in 35 games. He finished his Golden Eagles career with 845 rushes for 4,382 yards and 38 rushing touchdowns, plus 21 receptions for 236 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
His rushing total set the record at BC, which still stands. He also set records for career rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and all-purpose yards.
The production meant Dillon was a second-round pick for the Packers in 2020.
NFL consistency
Dillon's entire time in Green Bay, he was a backup, then a counterpart to Aaron Jones. He had a career year in 2021, rushing 187 times for 803 yards, as well as 34 receptions for 313 yards throughout the year, with a total of seven touchdowns. The running back was sidelined in 2024 due to an offseason neck injury but returned in 2025 with the Eagles, backing up Saquon Barkley.
Over the course of his six-year career, and five years playing, he's averaged 139.6 touches a season, 654.4 all-purpose yards a year, and 3.6 touchdowns a season.
