Love him or hate him, there is no question that former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest players in NFL history. A four-time league MVP, Rodgers holds numerous passing records, won a Super Bowl, and inspired a generation of young quarterbacks with his Hall of Fame level of play.
Due to his immense level of talent, the Packers, and now the New York Jets, consulted Rodgers on various roster decisions and listened to what he had to say. This led to many players, for better or worse, getting chances in the NFL that they otherwise might not have been given.
Such was the case for Allen Lazard, who recently credited Rodgers for his entire NFL career.
Former Packers Wide Receiver Allen Lazard Credits Aaron Rodgers for His NFL Career
In a recent interview with Rich Cimini of ESPN, current Jets (and former Packers) wide receiver Allen Lazard credited Rodgers with giving him an NFL career.
As Green Bay fans may remember, the Packers plucked Lazard off of the Jaguars practice squad in 2018. There must have been something about the young wide receiver that Rodgers liked, because he, “For the lack of better words, he mother f—ed the coaches to put me in,” Lazard said according to Cimini.
Lazard discussed how Rodgers showed faith in him, even if he dropped a pass, and the two formed a great connection that led him to want to sign with the Jets before Rodgers was even traded there.
When asked if he himself deserves any credit for his NFL career, Lazard told Cimini, No, I don’t. Give him all the credit. It’s all Aaron Rodgers.”
Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Allen Lazard Has Had an Interesting NFL Career
As mentioned, Lazard was signed off of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad by the Packers during the 2018 season. In 2019, Lazard told Cimini, Rodgers asked him what he [Rodgers] had to do in order to get the young wide receiver more playing time.
“You’re f—ing Aaron Rodgers!” Lazard said. “Why are you asking me?”
Lazard ended up playing 16 games in 2019 (three starts) and hauled in 35 receptions for 477 yards and three touchdowns. The following year, appearing in just 10 games because of a core muscle injury, he had 33 receptions for 451 yards and three more touchdowns.
2021 saw Lazard become one of Rodgers’ most trusted pass catchers in the red zone. He had a still career-high eight touchdown receptions to go with 40 catches and 517 yards.
In 2022, with Davante Adams gone, Lazard became Green Bay’s number one wide receiver. He tallied a career-high 60 receptions and 788 yards to go with six touchdowns.
When the Packers decided to let him walk in free agency, Lazard knew he wanted to go where Rodgers would be: New York. He signed a four-year $44 million contract with $22 million guaranteed.
Unfortunately, Rodgers missed all but four snaps of the 2023 season with a torn Achilles while Lazard had the worst season of his career. He had just 23 receptions for 311 yards and a touchdown, and was even benched at one point.
2024 has been a disappointing season for the Jets, but Lazard has bounced back from his disappointing first season in New York to the tune of 31 receptions for 431 yards and five touchdowns.
Since his contract is not guaranteed beyond this season, there is speculation that his future lies somewhere other than New York. Given the fact he is still a productive pass catcher, he will not have trouble finding work in 2025 should the Jets release him.
And he credits that, as noted above, to his quarterback.
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