Wide receiver Allen Lazard. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Allen Lazard could be final piece of Aaron Rodgers puzzle for the Jets

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/14/23

The growing consensus since free agency began is it’s a matter of when, not if, Aaron Rodgers will join the New York Jets.

Now, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are working diligently to sign Rodgers’ former Packers teammate Allen Lazard. Along with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was Rodgers’ OC in Green Bay from 2019-21, Lazard appears to be the final piece in convincing Rodgers to accept a trade to New York.

Jets are actively working to reach an agreement with Packers’ free-agent WR Allen Lazard, per league sources. There is another team involved, and no final decision, but the Jets are trying to reunite Lazard and OC Nathaniel Hackett. pic.twitter.com/rkzX17o5do
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023

“(Lazard) is a close friend of Aaron Rodgers and has been in touch with Rodgers recently,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said on Monday. “Much like everybody else, Allen Lazard is waiting to see what Aaron Rodgers is going to do. Sure he’d love to continue to play with Aaron Rodgers potentially if it lines up…but when does Rodgers make his decision?”

The duo spent the last five seasons together in Green Bay, connecting for 169 receptions, 2,236 yards and 20 touchdowns. His addition to the Jets receiver room — which includes reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson (83 receptions, 1,103 yards, four touchdowns), Elijah Moore (37 receptions, 446 yards, one touchdown) and Corey Davis (32 receptions, 536 yards, two touchdowns) — would give Rodgers a much-improved group of pass catchers than the one he had in Green Bay in 2022.

With Jakobi Meyers agreeing to a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders Tuesday morning, Lazard is arguably one of the two or three best receivers available. His projected market value according to Spotrac is $12.5 million per season.

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