The Green Bay Packers have quite a few decisions to make this offseason. Obviously, the first will be whether or not to keep Aaron Rodgers or move on to Jordan Love as the starting quarterback. Another intriguing question will be whether the front office will attempt to re-sign veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard.
Over the last couple of years, Lazard has become a key part of the Packers’ offense. He has also had a lot of praise heaped on him by Rodgers. If Rodgers heads out the door, it seems much more likely that Green Bay would be willing to let Lazard walk to another team in free agency.
Lazard is coming off of another good season with the Packers in 2022. He racked up 60 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers came in his first season as arguably the No. 1 wideout for Green Bay.
With all of that being said, let’s dive in and take a look at three teams who could look to sign Allen Lazard this offseason when free agency opens up.
Who Could Look To Sign Allen Lazard In Free Agency?
3. Chicago Bears
It has become a normal thing for the Packers to see their free agents get scooped up by other teams in the NFC North. Arguably the biggest poacher has been the Bears, who have signed a ton of former Packers over the years. As they look to build their offense around Justin Fields, signing Lazard seems like a very real possibility.
Chicago made a big move ahead of the NFL trade deadline this year to acquire Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Surprisingly enough, the Bears were able to acquire him, with the Packers having the next best offer and missing out.
Lazard would be a very good fit in the Bears’ offense and would also bring elite pass-blocking for a wideout. He’s exactly the kind of piece that would slide in as the No. 3 option for Chicago. Don’t be shocked if Lazard ends up playing the Packers twice a year as part of the Bears.
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2. New England Patriots
Next up, there is a team in the AFC that would make a ton of sense for Allen Lazard. Bill Belichick loves players who can do a plethora of things on the field. Lazard’s ability to play a big role as a wide receiver, but also block at a high level in the screen and running game would put him in play for the Patriots.
Mac Jones appears to be the guy for the Patriots heading into next season. He needs more help. New England will be out shopping for wide receivers in free agency and in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Lazard is not going to command a massive contract from his next team. He’ll be looking for a pay raise from what he made in 2022, but he won’t break the bank. That sounds like the kind of fit the Patriots will be searching for this offseason.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Finally, we’re looking at another AFC team that would make perfect sense for Allen Lazard. That team would be the Colts, who are in desperate need of finding another legitimate weapon at the wide receiver position.
No one knows what the future holds for the Colts at the quarterback position. Matt Ryan and Nick Foles did not make the cut and Indianapolis does hold the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft. With that in mind, they will be searching for veteran wideouts to take pressure off of a young quarterback, assuming that is the direction they head with their top draft pick.
Chris Ballard and company currently have Michael Pittman Jr. as their top target and Parris Campbell was their No. 2. Campbell is set to test free agency as well. Whether they bring Campbell back or not, Lazard would be a top-notch free agency target for the Colts.