“Only the Tip of the Iceberg”: Pointing Aaron Rodgers as Crucial Factor, Allen Lazard Spills the Tea on Packers Exit and Jetting to New York

New York Jets already have a formidable roster in terms of playing at the top standards in the NFL. They won both the offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year awards in the form of Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, who were drafted in the 2022 NFL draft. But there is a dark horse on the team, and it is in the form of QB Zach Wilson. The team has been moving ahead in full swing during this free agency period to address this issue. While their standoff, with Green Bay Packers, to acquire QB legend Aaron Rodgers continue, the Jets also picked up his teammate and free agent Allen Lazard from Green Bay. 

While the Jets continue their efforts to build a team around the expected arrival of Rodgers, Allen Lazard opens up about the major factor that convinced him to move to New York.

Allen Lazard says Rodgers’ expected trade is a crucial factor in his move

In an exclusive interview with TMZ Sports, Allen Lazard opens up about the reasons that resulted in him moving from the Packers to the Jets. The WR stated that there were two major reasons for his decision to fly to New York and play for the Jets in the upcoming 2023 season. One of them was that Nathaniel Hackett is the offensive coordinator for the team. Hackett and Lazard spent three years together at the Packers, thus they already have a strong working relationship built between them. After the Broncos fired Hackett as the HC because of the traumatic last season performance, the Jets picked him up this year. 

The second reason is that Lazard’s teammate Aaron Rodgers is expected to arrive at the Jets after serving his entire career at Green Bay. The WR is of the firm belief that the Jets will be able to acquire the Packers legend, even though there is a standoff between both teams concerning A-Rod’s value in the trade. Lazard said, “What you guys see on TV is only the tip of the iceberg. And knowing those two guys intent on being there, obviously coach Hackett already being there, just kind of gave me the sense to believe in the New York Jets. Once the trade goes through and Aaron shows up, I believe it will light a lot of fire underneath a lot of guys in that locker room.”

Read more: “We’re Able to Kind of Cross Paths”: Allen Lazard Makes Heartwarming Comments on Aaron Rodgers in Introductory Conference With Jets

Lazard signed a four-year deal worth $44 million, which includes $22 million guaranteed. This looks like the team’s strategy to build around the arrival of A-Rod. But the question that remains is, will he be a Jet?

The Jets roster shuffle for A-Rod’s acquisition 

Aaron Rodgers had recently announced his intentions of playing with the Jets at the Pat McAfee show. Since then, fans in the NFL world have been closely following the trade talks between the two teams. But they have not established a common ground for negotiations for the deal to go through. Apart from this, A-Rod will also face tough competition from the underperforming Zach Wilson if he arrives at the Jets.

In a big restructuring of the roster for the possible arrival of Rodgers, the Jets have traded Elijah Moore to the Broncos, adding more draft capital for the A-Rod trade. Apart from this, they also signed free agent and former Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman to a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million. And it seems like Hardman will replace Moore in the roster for the 2023 season.

Watch this story: Mystery surrounds Aaron Rodgers’ coffee date with two unknowns as Jets GM feels the heat

Will Rodgers rekindle with his teammate at the Jets? Or will it not pull off for the Packers legend? It is a matter of time before a final verdict comes to light.