The Pittsburgh Steelers got off to a 1-0 start this season, defeating the New York Jets by a score of 34-32 in a Sunday afternoon thriller.
Aaron Rodgers certainly got his revenge, tossing four touchdown passes against his former team, and at the Meadowlands, no less. But during the Steelers' victory, it was clear that one thing is missing: wide receiver depth.
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D.K. Metcalf had a strong showing with four catches for 83 yards, and Calvin Austin III snared four balls for 70 yards and a touchdown. Beyond those two, however, wide receiver production was virtually non-existent for Pittsburgh. In fact, Ben Skowronek was the only other wide out to make a catch, and ironically enough, it ended up being a 22-yard touchdown.
Second-year receiver Roman Wilson was nowhere to be seen in the affair, which makes you wonder if the Steelers will try to add another wide out. And you know who could be a perfect target? Jets receiver Allen Lazard.
Lazard was a healthy scratch for New York on Sunday, a rather strange move for a Jets squad that is thin at wide receiver as it is. Lazard took a pay cut during the offseason, dropping his cap hit to $4.6 million. And apparently, his playing time is being cut, as well. Significantly.
The Jets could look to send Lazard packing between now and the trade deadline, and Pittsburgh could represent a perfect landing spot.
Rodgers formed quite a connection with Lazard during their time as teammates with the Green Bay Packers, and that continued with the Jets. In fact, Lazard has never really done much of anything apart from Rodgers.
When Rodgers is his quarterback, though, the Iowa State product has been very effective, like last year when he caught 37 passes for 530 yards and six touchdowns. Or in 2022 when he hauled in 60 receptions for 788 yards and six scores with the Packers.
Lazard certainly wouldn't be expensive at this juncture, and Green Bay could probably acquire him for the cheap cost of a seventh-round draft pick. I mean, it's not like New York is actually using him.
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The Steelers showed that they could be a very good offensive ballclub this season, putting up a substantial amount of points against a generally stingy Jets defense. Adding the 6-foot-5 Lazard into the fray would make Pittsburgh's aerial attack that much more intriguing and would provide Rodgers with a familiar weapon.
Don't be surprised if the Steelers place a call to New York soon.
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