Aaron Rodgers' Decision Could Have Unexpected Jets Trade Impact

The New York Jets are long removed from the Aaron Rodgers saga. Two years of drama and disappointment bore no fruit for the franchise and they have turned the opposite way with new leadership and a new quarterback under center. 

Meanwhile, Rodgers waited for months to choose his next career move. Once things became too painstakingly obvious, he finally signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.

Now the Steelers get their turn dealing with the Rodgers circus though they had few options elsewhere to find their QB1. 

If there is one thing to take away from the last few years of Rodgers' career without diving into the polarizing antics that come with him, he fervently enjoys playing with a familiar group of receivers. 

When he went to the Jets, the team surrounded him with a company of such players, including Davante Adams. Allen Lazard also falls into that category, having played with Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers before joining him in New York. 

As the Rodgers saga dragged on there was a belief that his buddy could join him in the Steel City. However, that may not be the case as PFT's Mike Florio believes Lazard may want to go his own way and prove himself with the Jets. 

"Per a source with knowledge of Lazard’s thinking, he sees a very real potential benefit to proving his ability to function at an acceptable level without Rodgers as his quarterback. 

"With the Jets planning a run-heavy offense under new coach Aaron Glenn (and new quarterback Justin Fields), there’s a premium on receiver blocking. At six feet, five inches and 225 pounds, Lazard fits that role perfectly."

Florio also noted that there is no guarantee here, but Lazard by no means is a lock to don the Black and Gold in 2025. That may be his best prospect for his career with the complete unknown that is this budding and likely short-term relationship between the Steelers and Rodgers. 

Rodgers worked out with current Steelers No. 1 DK Metcalf in California earlier this offseason, so there is at least one pass catcher with some familiarity with the quarterback. 

Nothing is certain either way here, but Rodgers' old pal may be best suited sticking to his guns here and showing the league what he can do in a system tailored to his abilities.