New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) celebrates his touchdown reception with wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

‘In Play’: Pittsburgh Steelers Sniffing WR Trade With Jets For Aaron Rodgers

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 7, 2025 11:01 AM ET

Without a QB1 on the roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded away a star wide receiver. On Wednesday morning, the Steelers traded George Pickens and a sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a third and fifth-round pick.

The Steelers already have a WR1 when they traded for DK Metcalf in March. However, Pittsburgh still needs weapons at wide receiver if they plan to go all-in for whomever is under center this season.

Aaron Rodgers is expected to be the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh this year, but he’s biding his time signing a contract. The Steelers are reportedly eyeing a wide receiver to make the four-time NFL MVP happy.

Allen Lazard “in play” for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is “in play” for the Steelers.

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Jets receiver Allen Lazard is “in play” to be traded to the Steelers,” Florio wrote. “Why Lazard? Because Rodgers completely and totally trusts him. And Lazard, for whatever reason, performs much better with Rodgers than he does without him. (At one point during his first year in New York, during Rodgers’s season-long injury absence, Lazard became a healthy scratch.)

“Lazard recently slashed his 2025 salary from $11 million to $2.5 million, with $1.75 million of it guaranteed. That becomes a downright bargain for the Steelers.”

Aaron Rodgers and Lazard have a history

East Rutherford, NJ — August 24, 2024 — Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard of the Jets before the game. The New York Giants and New York Jets meet at MetLife Stadium in the final preseason game of the 2024 season for both teams.

Rodgers first started working with Lazard when the Green Bay Packers signed the Iowa State product in 2018 as a rookie. He was initially signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018.

Lazard has appeared in 74 games and started 55. He’s recorded 203 receptions, 2,695 yards, and 23 touchdowns in his seven-year NFL career.

Lazard would give Rodgers a security blanket to pair with a weapon like Metcalf.

Make no mistake about it, the only reason the Steelers would trade for Lazard is if Rodgers will play on the team in 2025.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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