Jets, Allen Lazard agree to 4-year, $44M contract as Aaron Rodgers trade rumors swirl

The Jets have reportedly agreed on a four-year, $44 million contract with Allen Lazard, which will only fuel more Aaron Rodgers rumors.

At this point, Aaron Rodgers going to the New York Jets is just a matter of “when,” not “if”. There's just too much smoke around this potential union for it to not happen, and longtime Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard joining the Jets is the latest bit of evidence.

Lazard has agreed on a four-year, $44 million contract with New York, per theScore's Jordan Schultz, with $22 million in guaranteed money. This comes after it was reported earlier Tuesday that the Jets were trying to lure Lazard to New York. It was also reported that Lazard was on a list of players Rodgers wanted to see the Jets pursue, with Randall Cobb, Marcedes Lewis and Odell Beckham Jr. also part of that list.

Despite what you might think, though, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted this signing wouldn't be just about luring Rodgers to the Jets. Allen Lazard is a big-bodied receiver who also is good at run-blocking. That type of skill set is desirable to New York, even without the connection to Aaron Rodgers.

“Yes, the Aaron Rodgers connection obvious. But I was told the Jets like the player in their offense regardless of QB. Big receiver that can do many things well.”

At this point in the offseason, the Jets are in Aaron Rodgers-or-bust mode. The Raiders just agreed with Jimmy Garoppolo on a relatively team-friendly deal. Their remaining options if Rodgers gets cold feet are either a trade for Lamar Jackson, taking a flier at someone like Baker Mayfield … or having one more year of Zach Wilson. New York would much rather have Rodgers than any of these options, though Jackson might be a good alternative, provided that the price is reasonable.

The Jets and the rest of the NFL are just waiting now for Aaron Rodgers' official decision, which has become excruciatingly long at this point.