Allen Lazard loved every part about New York when he visited for the primary time a couple of months in the past.
Now, it will likely be residence for the Jets’ latest vast receiver. And he’ll be reunited along with his former offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett— and maybe quickly quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Lazard signed a four-year contract with the Jets on Friday, a deal price $44m and contains $22m assured, in accordance with a number of stories.
“For me, I simply wished to get to an enormous metropolis,” Lazard, who’s from Iowa, mentioned throughout a Zoom name. “I wished to get to a spot that particularly has only a melting pot of tradition and simply be capable to get that have. You already know, the intense lights, New York Metropolis.”
The Huge Apple highlight may quickly shine on Rodgers, Lazard’s former Packers teammate, who mentioned on the Pat McAfee Present this week that he intends to play for New York this 12 months after 18 seasons in Inexperienced Bay. The edges are nonetheless engaged on compensation particulars to attempt to full a commerce.
Lazard is aware of expectations will rise enormously if Rodgers lands with the Jets, a franchise that hasn’t been to the Tremendous Bowl since 1969 and has the NFL’s longest energetic playoff drought at 12 seasons.
“Him being right here positively helps all the group be capable to take that subsequent step that they should to make a deep playoff run and go win that Lombardi trophy,” Lazard mentioned.
The 27-year-old vast receiver mentioned Rodgers’ choice wasn’t essentially a figuring out issue on the place he’d signal as a free agent, however “it positively helps.”
Lazard mentioned coach Robert Saleh’s presence additionally was an element, however he raved about Hackett, who labored with the receiver in the identical function as offensive coordinator in Inexperienced Bay from 2019-21.
“He’s the very best trainer I’ve ever had in my life,” Lazard mentioned. “And I’m going from college to soccer, he simply makes studying enjoyable. … He makes it very easy and he permits you to go on the market and simply play quick and never suppose. Due to that’s the reason I’ve had lots of success these previous few years.”
Lazard tweeted Thursday night time that he and Hackett were at dinner collectively, hinting the signing was imminent. On Wednesday, he posted on Twitter a farewell to the Packers and their fans: “It’s been an honor to signify the ‘G’ and to rock the inexperienced and gold with each one in all you.”
The 6ft 5in Lazard, thought to be a terrific blocker as a receiver, is coming off his greatest NFL season. He had private highs of 60 catches and 788 yards receiving to associate with six touchdowns; in 2021, he had a career-best eight TD receptions.
“I believe objectively, lots of people can have a look at Allen Lazard and go, he’s a extremely good participant, we might like to have him on our staff,” Rodgers mentioned on the Pat McAfee Present. “Anyone could be fortunate to have him within the locker room.”
Lazard was signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State in 2018 and was signed by Inexperienced Bay off the Jaguars’ observe squad that season.
“I nonetheless really feel undrafted,” Lazard mentioned with a smile, “as a result of the checks haven’t hit but.”
After beginning simply 12 video games in his first three seasons, Lazard moved right into a beginning function and developed a powerful rapport with Rodgers whereas beginning 28 video games the final two years. In 5 NFL seasons, Lazard has 169 profession receptions for two,236 yards and 20 TDs.
“Throughout my time with Aaron in Inexperienced Bay, he actually put his arm round me and he’s an enormous purpose for why I’m right here at present,” Lazard mentioned of his NFL profession. “I can’t deny that. … He’s relied on me in lots of heavy-pressure conditions and all the time believed in me.”
Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Marcus Mariota agreed on a one-year, $5m contract, an individual with information of the deal advised the Related Press on Friday.
The individual, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of the staff hasn’t introduced the deal, mentioned Mariota’s contract is price as much as $8m, together with incentives.
Mariota, who was launched by Atlanta final month, would be the backup for Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.
Former Eagles coach Chip Kelly coached Mariota at Oregon and coveted him within the 2015 draft however couldn’t commerce as much as get him. Mariota went No 2 to Tennessee.
Mariota accomplished 61.3% of his passes final season for two,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 13 begins for the Falcons. He additionally had a career-high 438 yards speeding and 4 TDs.
Mariota is 34-40 as a starter with the Falcons and Titans. He performed sparingly behind Derek Carr in two seasons as backup for the Raiders in 2020-21.
Mariota replaces Gardner Minshew, who reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3.5m contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
Minshew was 1-3 in 4 begins filling in for Jalen Hurts over the previous two seasons with the Eagles. He reunites with Shane Steichen, the Colts’ new coach who was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator.
Minshew, a sixth-round decide by Jacksonville in 2019, was 7-13 as starter in two seasons with the Jaguars. He has accomplished 62.8% of his passes for six,632 yards, 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 4 seasons.
The Colts have had totally different beginning quarterback for 5 straight seasons, and this 12 months will make it six in a row after Matt Ryan was launched.
