NFL Rumors: Former Packers WR takes salt in his tea, Seahawks out on Bobby Wagner, and Bill O’Brien griddy lessons
By Kristen Wong
NFL Rumors: Allen Lazard flips the bird at Packers before taking flight with Jets
It’s a dangerous time to be a Green Bay Packers fan right now. With the Jordan Love era set to start in 2023, the team will face an uncertain offensive future sans Aaron Rodgers, and also sans Allen Lazard. But the franchise doesn’t really care about that second part.
According to Lazard, who recently joined the New York Jets in free agency, the Packers didn’t make it seem like they would “miss” Lazard too much.
Allen Lazard said the Packers didn't show any interest in bringing him back.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 17, 2023
"They didn't seem like they were going to miss me too much."
Lazard was a pending free agent after spending his entire five-year career with Green Bay and came off a career-best season in 2022 that saw him record 718 total yards and 52.5 average yards per game.
In their desperate pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets decided to bring on Lazard this offseason to make Rodgers’ stay a bit more comfortable. Rodgers already has former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, a star-studded Jets’ offense and defense, and as an added bonus, a bratty protégé in Zach Wilson who Rodgers can bully as much as he wants. Everybody already hates Zach.
Lazard could just be feeling slightly insecure that Green Bay didn’t try harder to hold onto him when New York came calling. It doesn’t help that the main reason the Jets picked him up was likely for his relationship to Rodgers, rather than Lazard’s raw talent or production.
Walking around New York being known as “Rodger’s friend” has got to be a blow to Lazard’s self-esteem. Once the Jets make the playoffs this season, it will hopefully all have been worth it.