NFL: Allen Lazard signed a life-changing contract this off-season. Lazard signed a four-year contract with the New York Jets in mid-March, a deal worth $44 million and includes $22 million guaranteed. Going from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets will certainly be a change in lifestyle on and off the field. It is no secret that four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers joining the Jets played a role in his decision, however, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was also instrumental in his decision-making process. Recently Hackett came under some pretty heavy scrutiny, and Lazard wasn’t having any of it.
Jets’ Allen Lazard Absolutely Rips Head Coach Sean Payton In Statement (NFL)
Last week, new Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton took aim at his predecessor, Nathaniel Hackett. Payton called Hackett’s stint as Broncos coach last season “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.” Payton also claimed that he would be “doing the opposite” of everything Hackett did while running the show in Denver. Allen Lazard played with Hackett for three years in Green Bay. The Green Bay Packers had a lot of success with Hackett, Rodgers, and Lazard on the same team. That included winning 13 games three seasons in a row. When Lazard heard Sean Payton’s comments, he had something to say:
“I think what Aaron said spoke for everyone here,” Lazard said, via Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News . “At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We have bigger things to worry about than people worry about our offensive coordinator.”
“Hackett is the best teacher I’ve ever had in my life,” Lazard said. “His personality, his style of teaching, coaching, his vulnerability just to be himself, I think it’s very powerful and it speaks to high regard of him being comfortable with himself.”
Allen Lazard Wasn’t The Only Former Packers Player To Rip Sean Payton
Robin Adams of Wisconsin Sports Heroics highlighted Aaron Rodgers’ comments toward Sean Payton after he made some pretty harsh remarks about Nathaniel Hackett:
“Those comments were very surprising. For a coach to do that to another coach. My love for Hack goes deep. We had some good years together in Green Bay. Kept in touch. Love him and his family.
“He’s an incredible family man, an incredible dad. And on the field, he’s literally my favorite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL. His approach to it, how he makes it fun, how he cares about the guys.
“It made me feel bad that someone who has accomplished so much in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up. I think it was way out of line and inappropriate.
“And I think he needs to keep my coach’s name out of his mouth.”
Rodgers went full “Will Smith” with his “keep my coach’s name out of your mouth” comment.
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1 Comment
What would be some of the best KARMA ever? If Shawnie Payton’s Broncos lose 12-15 games themselves. Sometimes teams don’t work out. Payton’s teams haven’t always been a top team, or even a decent and respectable team, aka the New Orleans Aints.