The New York Jets have agreed a four-year $44 million (£37m) deal with ex-Green Bay Packers receiver Allen Lazard as they look to assemble an Aaron Rodgers-led roster.
The 27-year-old has spent his entire career, a period of the last five seasons, alongside Rodgers at Lambeau Field and has 169 catches, 2,236 yards and 20 touchdowns. The wide receiver helped the Packers reach the NFC Championship game in 2020 and recorded three catches in a 31-26 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After ESPN reported Lazard was among the names on Rodgers’ wish list, it came as little surprise to see confirmation of his capture. Still, the former Green Bay man was keen to share his appreciation of his time in Wisconsin with a heartfelt message on Twitter.
“The past four years have been a roller coaster of emotions for me. Since day one Packer fans have always had my back.” Lazard wrote. “Y’all have never failed to impress me with your overwhelming love and support, no matter where we played.”
Attention now quickly turns to his new squad who are constructing a formidable offensive unit to match their outstanding defensive capabilities. The Jets now have Lazard and Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson at the receiver position and still could add Odell Beckham Jr if ESPN’s report is confirmed.
The requisite groundwork appears to be close to completion for the four-time NFL MVP Rodgers’ to finally end weeks of speculation by joining the Jets. During Rodgers’ time in Green Bay with Lazard - a period that also included two years with the Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett - the duo combined for 168 catches in 56 games.
Lazard, who was an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State, joined the Packers from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad in December 2018 and also went onto run for 2,216 yards and scored 19 of his 20 touchdowns while playing with the soon-to-be New York Jets quarterback.
Speaking to the Pat McAfee show on Wednesday, Rodgers confirmed he wanted to play for the Jets next season and end his association with the Packers. He explained: "Before I went in, I was told that the Packers wanted me to come back and retire a Packer. When I came out of the darkness, something changed.
"I had no WiFi on my 'hippie mountain', I received texts that there had been a shift and I had heard from multiple people that there were some shopping going on. Then I had come to the realisation that the Packers want to move on, they have made that clear in so many words."
