Aaron Rodgers finally signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. He waited until June, but he joined the team that everyone pegged him to go to in the first place. He will have wide receiver DK Metcalf at his disposal, but apparently one former teammate won’t be joining him.
Aaron Rodgers Sees Long-Time Friend Refuse To “Run In Back” With Steelers
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
As part of his signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers is widely expected to try to bring with him some of his former (and preferred) teammates. However, one of those ex-teammates doesn’t seem willing to reunite with him:
It was recently reported that New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is “in play” to join the Steelers in a trade. The Jets signed Lazard back in 2023 as part of their effort to entice Rodgers to join the team. He had previously been a star wideout with Rodgers in Green Bay. With Rodgers throwing to him last year, he led the team in yards per catch.
But according to ProFootballTalk, Lazard might not be interested in running it back with Rodgers again. Citing a source, PFT’s Mike Florio reported that Lazard is leaning towards staying with the Jets because they have a system that might suit his talents better.
“Per a source with knowledge of Lazard’s thinking, he sees a very real potential benefit to proving his ability to function at an acceptable level without Rodgers as his quarterback. With the Jets planning a run-heavy offense under new coach Aaron Glenn (and new quarterback Justin Fields), there’s a premium on receiver blocking. At six feet, five inches and 225 pounds, Lazard fits that role perfectly,” Florio wrote on Friday.
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (right) greet each other after their game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (right) greet each other after their game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Steelers have made a number of changes to their receiving corps this offseason, the two biggest of which were trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys and acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.
As a result, there is a lot of hand-wringing going on among both Steelers fans and general NFL fans wondering the same thing: Who is Rodgers going to throw the ball to?
Aside from Metcalf and a 33-year-old Robert Woods, there aren’t many established names in the WRs room. They still have some solid tight ends in Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, but Rodgers has always preferred targeting wideouts to tight ends.
That isn’t to say that the Steelers will regret not trying to make a move for Allen Lazard, or that Lazard will regret staying with the Jets.
But it still begs the question: Who will Rodgers connect with other than Metcalf?
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 29: Allen Lazard (10) of the New York Jets celebrates a first down against the Denver Broncos during the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 29: Allen Lazard (10) of the New York Jets celebrates a first down against the Denver Broncos during the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Here is a look at Lazard’s career stats:
Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg
2018 GB 1 0 1
2019 GB 16 3 35
2020 GB 10 9 33
2021 GB 15 13 40
2022 GB 15 15 60
2023 NYJ 14 12 23
2024 NYJ 12 10 37
Total 74 55 229 3,007
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is shown after he led Gang Green to a 32-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins, on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is shown after he led Gang Green to a 32-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins, on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
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