Rodgers got Lazard into the Packers' rotation after spotting him with the practice squad, and their connection has followed them to the Jets.
Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.training camp, 2019. The team practiced on two fields -- starters and key reserves on one, Packers hopefuls on the other.
"I think he's just doing it for the headlines and the clicks and the attention," Lazard said, smiling."But with him, you never know.""If it ends up being that," Lazard said, meaning Rodgers' farewell,"I've had a hell of a career because of that man." Allen Lazard and Aaron Rodgers touch hands to form a triangle. It's a nod to Lazard's credo from high school,"ATT" -- which means"At The Top." "Call it what you want, but he's pretty much given me all my statistics," Lazard said."He's helped me out, not only on the field, but off the field, too -- just the leader and the man that he is, and how he carries himself and how he handles the controversy of just being the star that he is.
Lazard felt a similar sting during the 2018 draft. After a record-setting career at Iowa State, he figured he'd be a Day 3 selection. He invited more than 40 friends and family to a draft-watch party at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Ames, Iowa. They were ready to celebrate, but he wasn't one of the 33 wide receivers selected over seven rounds.Rodgers knows a thing or two about the fickle nature of the draft.
The attention to detail came easily to Lazard, partly because of his upbringing. His father, Kevin, was a defensive back and team captain at Iowa State. Allen had a football in his crib, watched game film at a young age and attended Cyclones reunions with his dad. He believes it was his destiny to play in the NFL. He has the mindset to be a coach someday, according to Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing.
He was a nonfactor the entire season, never producing more than three catches and 61 receiving yards in any game. Without Rodgers, he appeared lost. Could a wide receiver be that connected to one quarterback?
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Report: Jets Owner Nixed Jerry Jeudy for Allen Lazard Trade With BroncosA Denver Broncos trade that never was.
Read more »
New York Jets Open Practice Windows for Allen Lazard, Wes SchweitzerThe New York Jets are giving two injured players, Allen Lazard and Wes Schweitzer, the chance to work their way into shape.
Read more »
New York Jets Activate Allen Lazard, Wes Schweitzer from Injured ReserveThe New York Jets have some reinforcements on the way for their Sunday showdown with the Miami Dolphins.
Read more »
QB Stock Market Week 12: Josh Allen’s asterisk and the Aaron Rodgers boondoggleJosh Allen is on fire. Patrick Mahomes is playing with fire. Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers perhaps should be fired. Here are Henry McKenna's latest QB rankings.
Read more »
Leonard Williams Explained How Aaron Rodgers’s Age Helped Lead to 91-Yard Pick-SixWilliams cited Rodgers's age as a key reason why he was able to intercept him.
Read more »
Why Jets' Aaron Rodgers refused to get scans on his injuriesMichael Schwartz, MD, Sports Orthopedic Surgeon at NYU Langone breaks down Miles McBride's knee injury, including McBride's prior knee hyper-extension, and what this means for the Knicks moving forward.
Read more »