The New York Jets have added a new piece to the offensive puzzle.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of The Score was the first to report that former Green Bay Packers wideout Allen Lazard is signing a brand new deal with Gang Green.
It’ll be a four-year deal for $44 million with $22 million of that guaranteed, per Schultz.
Schultz also said that this Lazard deal “should also get things to the finish line with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.”
@Schultz_Report @theScore Jets calling the police if Aaron doesn’t sign with then today
A fan responded to that report saying the Jets [should be] “calling the police” if Aaron doesn’t sign with them today.
Jets Get Their Man in Allen Lazard During Free Agency
Adam Schefter of ESPN announced earlier on Tuesday, March 14 that the Jets were “actively working” to reach a deal with Lazard.
The contract wasn’t done in the morning but both sides were able to get the deal done by the end of the work day.
Jets are actively working to reach an agreement with Packers’ free-agent WR Allen Lazard, per league sources. There is another team involved, and no final decision, but the Jets are trying to reunite Lazard and OC Nathaniel Hackett.
That $11 million per year average makes him the No. 28 highest-paid wide receiver in football, per Over The Cap.
Lazard will join a talented wide receiving corps that includes a pair of young building blocks in Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore.
It is also worth noting that Lazard was on Aaron Rodgers’ wish list that he presented to the Jets of players he’d like to play with.
Social Media Reacts to Allen Lazard to the Jets
The Fan Duel account in Canada used a transforming Packers logo into a Jets one to best describe this new signing.
Caesars Sportsbook used the Brian Windhorst meme and added the caption, “why would the Jets do that?”
@Schultz_Report @theScore “Why would the Jets do that?”
Another Twitter user said, “imagine if they don’t get Aaron Rodgers.”
@Schultz_Report @theScore Imagine if they don’t get Aaron Rodgers
A Twitter user trashed the Jets saying, “OMG $11M a year for a No. 3 wide receiver at best?”
@Schultz_Report @ByMikeMitchell @theScore OMG 😂 – 11M a year for a #3 at best WR? Maybe even a #4. The NFC is lower level defenses and the AFC is stacked across the board.
A Twitter user believes this Lazard signing means, “the Rodgers era with the Jets begins.”
@Schultz_Report @theScore Ok. The Rodgers era with the Jets begins !
Another Twitter user said if Rodgers retires “this will be very funny.” I suppose it depends on your perspective.
@Schultz_Report @theScore if rodgers retires this will be very funny
In general, the acquisition of Lazard does raise some questions about the new-look wide receiver corps.
NFL Insider Josina Anderson of CBS Sports said that the team’s interest in Lazard didn’t “preclude their willingness to add more than one wide receiver via free agency.”
My understanding is the #Jets discussions with WR Allen Lazard–does not-preclude their willingness to add more than one WR via free agency.
If what Anderson says is true, then that likely would mean Davis is heading elsewhere in 2023. Whether that be a straight-up release or he could be a part of the large Aaron Rodgers trade package back to the Packers.
I believe the #Jets find positives in multiples WR free agents out there, and not just the ones who’ve played with Aaron Rodgers before though……We’ll see how it unfolds.
While Rodgers clearly has input in who the Jets will be pursuing as free agents, Anderson also added that isn’t the only list the team is working off of.
In other words, there are multiple wide receivers that don’t necessarily have ties to Rodgers that the Jets “find positives” in and said this could be something to watch during free agency.
My understanding is if and when Rodgers joins the Jets, the team is going to be ultra-aggressive in every facet of its roster building. The team would be willing to get creative with backloading contracts and doing everything within their power to improve the talent at multiple spots.
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Jets Fans React to $44 Million Free Agent Signing: ‘Calling the Police’