Potential Steelers WR Target with Aaron Rodgers Ties Gets New Deal with Jets
The New York Jets and wide receiver Allen Lazard have reached a deal on a reduced contract for the 2025 season, which could be a sign that he won’t be leaving to follow his good friend Aaron Rodgers to a third NFL destination with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets reportedly gave Lazard permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason, and earlier this week, Rich Cimini of ESPN reported that Lazard might be waiting for Rodgers to find his destination before making a decision about what to do with his future.
Instead, Lazard has agreed to a new deal with the Jets for significantly less compensation than he was originally expected to net. According to Over the Cap, Lazard took an $8.5 million pay cut to stay with the Jets in 2025. He had originally been set to earn $11 million, but will now make just $2.25 million in salary, with only $1.75 million of that guaranteed.
With the new salary, trading Lazard before June 1 would result in net salary cap penalty for the Jets.
The 29-year-old Lazard finished fifth on the Jets in targets in 2024 and third among wide receivers, behind only Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. He caught 37 of 60 targets for 530 yards and six touchdowns.
Originally an undrafted free agent of the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Iowa State in 2018, Lazard joined the Packers in December of his rookie season. He broke out in 2020, making 35 catches for 477 yards and three touchdowns. He and Rodgers developed a quick rapport, and that carried over in 2023, when he left the Packers to join Rodgers on the Jets.
The Steelers have a need for one more outside wide receiver on the team behind DK Metcalf and George Pickens, with just undersized and mostly slot options Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller and special teamer Ben Skowronek under contract.
But it doesn’t seem like that player will be Lazard, now that he’s worked out a new deal in New York. Is that because the Steelers don’t want Lazard, even if they get Rodgers, because the Steelers aren’t getting Rodgers, or some other reason? Stay tuned.