Jets will sign WR who is on Aaron Rodgers' 'wish list'

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jets predictably agree to deal with WR who is on Aaron Rodgers' reported 'wish list'

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 3/14/23

The New York Jets desperately want Aaron Rodgers. The Green Bay Packers have to trade the four-time MVP, of course, but all indications around the league are that the trade is basically a done deal. Rodgers simply just needs to OK playing in New York.

That decision has been easier said than done for the future Hall of Famer, but the Jets did probably move the needle in a big way by bringing in his top target from 2022. It's being reported that New York has reached an agreement with wideout Allen Lazard, who has been Rodgers' most trusted target in Green Bay not named Davante Adams for the past few seasons.

For his efforts over the past few seasons, Lazard is getting paid.

BREAKING: #Jets are signing FA WR Allen Lazard to a 4-year, $44M deal with $22M guaranteed, sources tell @thescore.

Lazard comes off his best season, totaling 60/788/6 in 15 games with #Packers. This deal should also get things to the finish line with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. pic.twitter.com/wOmAbEe0pC
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2023

That's huge money for a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. The Packers swooped him off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, and he slowly but surely worked his way up Green Bay's roster while simultaneously earning the trust of his quarterback.

Lazard is an incredible story. From practice squad afterthought whose last contract was worth $3.96 million to an NFL starter earning $11 million per year.

He also could be the key transaction that gets Rodgers to accept a deal to New York. Per Dianna Russini of ESPN, Rodgers had provided the Jets a "wish list" of players he'd like them to acquire — presumably in order to OK a trade, and Lazard headlined that list.

Aaron Rodgers has provided the NY Jets with a wish-list of free agents he would like them to target and acquire, per sources.
It includes Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Marcedes Lewis and….Odell Beckham Jr.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 14, 2023