When the New York Jets agreed to a restructured contract with wide receiver Allen Lazard, the agreement made the veteran more palatable to stay on the roster.
His once $11 million cap charge decreased to just over $4 million per the agreement, and was a stroke of genius for the new regime. Lazard was expected to compete for a role in New York’s offense for the 2025 season.
Those could change, though, and one trade from former Super Bowl rivals may have been the move to start it off.
How the Pickens trade impacts the Jets
With the Pittsburgh Steelers trading away 1,000-yard receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, the Black and Gold opened a massive hole on the roster at a key position.
Sure, they still acquired and extended DK Metcalf during the offseason, but with no set answer at the quarterback position, Pittsburgh needs all the veteran receiver help it can get.
Enter the Jets and Lazard.
All eyes continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers’ pending decision after the Jets decided to part ways. At this point, it feels inevitable he’ll either play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 or retire this offseason after a disastrous two-year run with the Jets. Pittsburgh avoiding the quarterback position this draft cycle (and in free agency) will lead many to believe that a deal is soon coming for the former four-time NFL MVP.
Rodgers loves to throw the ball to players he has prior experience with. Lazard could be a veteran receiver that Pittsburgh needs.
I think we all can do the math here.
The Allen Lazard-Aaron Rodgers bond
The relationship between Lazard and Rodgers has always been strong. So much so that the veteran receiver joined the Jets before the signal-caller had actually been shipped to New York in 2023.
“He is my career,” Lazard said of Rodgers late in the season with the Jets last year. “He’s such a huge figure, mentor, and big brother to me. I’m just grateful to have him in my life, and I’m forever grateful to be able to play alongside him. So, that’s why I’m trying to make the most of this year, and every single time I can get a ball from him.”
It makes perfect sense why the Jets would keep Lazard on their roster. They don’t have a sure-fire second option at the receiver position, and giving away the elder statement would be seen as a gamble.
It’s a necessary one, though.
In Lazard’s lone season without Rodgers on the Jets, he struggled mightily to get open and catch the football. His catching problems persisted even when Rodgers was back starting, but his production was much better.
Simply put, New York won’t know what kind of receiver they are going to get if Lazard’s favorite quarterback doesn’t throw him the ball.
That’s where a trade with Pittsburgh comes in. New York can easily move Lazard this offseason now. With the trade of Pickens, coupled with the pending Rodgers decision, the Steelers may just need Lazard.
It’s a match made in heaven for both sides.
