Rodgers, Tomlin, and the Steelers sent the rest of the NFL a message with their 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins. Virtually holding a 1.5 game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, the division is now theirs to lose. Despite the strong offensive performance, Pittsburgh could add more weapons to its offense.

On that note, Allen Lazard has been released by the New York Jets and is now a free agent in the NFL. Based on Lazard and Rodgers’ friendship—and their history playing together in the league—it’s not hard to imagine he could sign with the Steelers.

Joining his good old reliable quarterback on a playoff contender could be just what the doctor ordered for Lazard, who has registered 10 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown so far in the 2025 NFL season. If he does join Pittsburgh, Lazard would boast an impressive mark, having played alongside Rodgers in each of his eight seasons in the league.

Lazard fits the Steelers’ criteria

Following the triumph in Week 15, Rodgers delivered a very powerful statement on his teammates. The Steelers’ lineup on offense doesn’t feature the biggest household names—aside from talents like D.K. Metcalf and Rodgers himself. Against the Dolphins, several overlooked talents took over, leading the team to victory. Playing with a chip on their shoulder has certainly paid off for the team in the City of Bridges.

“There’s some castoffs if you look at our roster, which makes it really special,” Rodgers admitted, via ESPN. “Kenny Gainwell signed a next-to-nothing contract. Connor Heyward, an afterthought, had a touchdown run. Marquez has been on a couple teams. Adam Thielen got cut. Samuel was on the street for a long time. So, [that] says a lot about the character of the guys we brought in.“

Rodgers might have some serious manifesting skills. Less than a day after his comment on the “underdog” mentality within the locker room, Lazard has now become available.

Background

Lazard played five years with Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers (2018–2022) before joining him in his adventure with the New York Jets (2023–2024). They say third time’s the charm; for Lazard and Rodgers, that may mean they could finally hoist their first joint Super Bowl ring if the 30-year-old wideout signs with Tomlin’s Steelers.

The Jets haven’t had a successful season in recent years. In 2023, the AFC East team traded for Aaron Rodgers, hoping a top-tier quarterback would turn things around.

Unfortunately, Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury in his debut. While he’s now fully recovered, the team has continued to struggle and has yet to reach its potential.

Jets place key Aaron Rodgers offensive weapon on injured reserve

Many fans are still waiting for the Jets to become the dominant team everyone expected. Last year, the team brought in Aaron Rodgers and built an offense with players he requested, including several former Packers teammates.

The front office went all out, signing players Rodgers wanted, yet the offense hasn’t delivered as hoped despite the added talent.

One of those requested players was Allen Lazard. The wide receiver played alongside Rodgers with the Packers for five years before joining the Jets with him in 2023.

In 2023, Rodgers couldn’t play alongside Lazard due to his Achilles injury. Now, Lazard will be sidelined for several weeks and can’t support Rodgers on the field for the upcoming games.

The New York Jets announced Allen Lazard suffered a chest injury, sidelining him for at least four games. The team has placed him on injured reserve, hoping to have him back by Week 13.

Which games will Allen Lazard miss?

With Lazard on injured reserve, he will miss the next four weeks. Fortunately for the Jets, their bye week is in Week 12, so Lazard will be out for only three games.

• Week 9 vs. Houston Texans
• Week 10 @ Arizona Cardinals
• Week 11 vs. Indianapolis Colts

After months of speculation, the veteran quarterback confirmed he wants to be traded to the Jets, who couldn’t be more excited about it. New York was ready to pursue a star signal-caller, so this is just perfect.

The teams have yet to agree on the compensation, but in the meantime, the Jets have already started to build around their potential new quarterback. They’ve even brought a familiar face for Rodgers in Allen Lazard, who took aim at his former team in his introductory press conference.

Allen Lazard takesaimat Packers while he waits for Rodgers at Jets

“They didn’t seem like they were going to miss me too much,” Lazard said Friday, via NFL.com. The 27-year-old hit the open market this offseason after five years in Green Bay, who opted not to re-sign him. With Rodgers reportedly on the brink of moving to the Big Apple, Lazard is excited about what’s next— though he said joining the Jets was a personal decision.

“He’s a big reason why I’m here today,” Lazard said. “I can’t deny that. He stood on a table for me in training camp when I didn’t deserve to make the roster, he called for me to be in the games, and he’s always believed in me.He’s relied on me in a lot of heavy-pressure situations and has always believed in me.

“So, as a wide receiver, the best relationship you can have is with the quarterback, and the relationship I have with him has been phenomenal. Obviously, there were inclinations that he was coming here. … (But) after the last game in the locker room I kind of mentioned to him how I kind of have to worry about myself and take care of what is best for me — I can’t worry about other people. So, me and my decision coming here was purely based off that, making sure that I’m doing what’s best for my career. Obviously, him being here definitely helps — definitely helps — the entire organization to be able to take that next step that they need to to make a deep playoff run and get a Lombardi Trophy.

“Like I previously said, we were both trying to do what’s right for the both of us,” he continued.“Obviously, him and his situation is a little bit different. … Obviously, standing here today, it feels good knowing that 12 is going to be my quarterback. I think with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback, the possibility to win is always a thing. With that being said, it’s really the Super Bowl.”

It remains to be seen how the Jets and Packers work out the terms of the deal, but the Rodgers trade now looks like a matter of when and not if. Of course, everyone in New York should be excited about it— except the Giants, of course.

The veteran quarterback will reveal his final decision on Wednesday at 1 PM (ET) in an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. All options remain on the table, though his future appears to be inNew York.

Rodgers reportedly held a meeting with Jets owner Woody Johnson and head coach Robert Saleh not long ago, while Packers executives suggested the divorce is imminent. In the event he ultimately joins the Jets, Rodgers could be taking players he appreciates with him.

Free agents Aaron Rodgers could recruit to join him at Jets

Rodgers reportedly has a wish list of players he wants to have as teammates in New York, and the Jets have already started to bring familiar faces for the 4x MVP. Apart from hiring Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, the Jets signed free agent wide receiver Allen Lazard, who spent the last five seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay. But there could be more players following Rodgers to New York.

Randall Cobb

ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported the Jets’ next target after Lazard would be veteran wideout Randall Cobb, who also hit the free agency after playing with Rodgers at the Packersfor many years.

Marcedes Lewis

Schefter added veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who also became a free agent after five seasons with the Packers, to the Jets’ shortlist. Dianna Russini of ESPN reports Lewis is part of the wish-list of free agents Rodgers wants the Jets to sign, though the Raiders wouldalso be interested in him.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. hasbeen heavily linked with the Packers last year while he still recovered from an ACL injury sustained during the 2022 Super Bowl. Beckham eventually missed the entire season, but as he nears his return to the gridiron, Rodgers apparently wants him on board in his new chapter in New York. It makes sense, since Rodgers would have in him a reliable partner to challenge for big things.

In one of the greatest tales in sports history, Brady went from being a late pick to the most successful player of all time. The NFL has certainly seen and will probably continue to witness magical quarterbacks, but it will probably take time before someone matches his seven Super Bowl rings.

Aaron Rodgers, for instance, will also go down in history as one of the all-time greats, but he couldn’t win the Vince Lombardi more than once. Even so, Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard believes A-Rod is the best to ever play the game.

Allen Lazard calls Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers the GOAT

“The greatest of all time,” Lazard said about Rodgers, via TMZ Sports. “Not might, no might. Drop the might. He’s the G.O.A.T… The best person to ever pick up a football and throw the ball. I’ll leave it at that.”

Lazard is obviously influenced by his ties to Rodgers, who has been his teammate in the last five seasons. However, the Packers quarterback definitely belongs to the group of thebest quarterbacks in NFL history. That’s why, even at 39, he continues to draw interest around the league.

Ever since Rodgers suggested he may not come back to Green Bay, the likes of the New York Jets or the Las Vegas Raiders have been linked with a potential move for the 4x NFL MVP.