Something Aaron Rodgers did after stepping into the New York limelight was convert it into a loose adaption of the Friends reunion. Rodgers didn’t just sign as the Jets’ field general. He came with a passive-aggressive general manager status quo, just without an official tag. To make him feel at home, after an ugly divorce with Green Bay. The Jets brought in his top wide-out buddy from Lambeau to MetLife. Allen Lazard was signed for a whopping 4-year, $44M deal—and he wasn’t the only one. Randall Cobb soon followed Lazard to the Big Apple. And to add a cherry on top, Rodgers also kind of installed Nathaniel Hackett as his OC in New York. When none of them worked out, the Jets even tried Davante Adams, who’s now a Rams receiver. So, considering all of his men failed to impress, the Steelers didn’t bother following the Jets’ route.
On April 5th, Jets insider Rich Cimini had an interesting theory about one of Rodgers’ best friends, Allen Lazard. “Lazard could be waiting to see if a reunion with free agent QB Aaron Rodgers is possible before deciding on the Jets’ proposal,” Cimini reported. Lazard, who was slated to earn $11M in base salary this season, found himself on the negotiation table. After his two poor seasons with the Jets, which saw him catch only 60 passes for 841 receiving yards and 7 TDs. The Jets didn’t want him to play on such a contract that didn’t match his value.
So, with Rodgers still in free agency and the Steelers hovering, Lazard was probably hoping for another brotherly reunion. However, those speculations have now been put to rest once and for all. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted today that the Jets and Allen Lazard have reached an agreement on a restructured contract. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, who initially broke the news, explained how Lazard’s new look contract will pay out.
Jets and wide receiver Allen Lazard reached agreement on a restructured contract, as @Jason_OTC reported. Lazard, who was scheduled to earn $11 million in 2025, took an $8.5 million pay cut to remain under contract with the Jets, who are guaranteeing $1.75 million of his salary… https://t.co/040fz1ZYRg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2025
From $11M, Lazard will only earn $1.75M of his salary, fully guaranteed, taking a $8.5M pay cut in the process. His revised contract means Lazard will now hit free agency in 2026. By restructuring Lazard’s contract, the Jets have reduced his cap number from $13.2M to $4.6M this year. Once his contract with the Jets becomes void next summer, Lazard will carry a measly $4.368M in dead money.
So, instead of a second reunion with Rodgers in black and gold. Lazard will stay put in New York, hoping to build a strong partnership with new Jets QB Justin Fields. While Rodgers may not get his best friend back in Steel City, at least he can count himself lucky to have the backing of a Steelers legend. Two-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, has a message to shush Rodgers critics.
Ben Roethlisberger backs Aaron Rodgers amid constant criticism
Rodgers hasn’t even been announced as the Steelers’ new QB, but that didn’t stop him from getting an arm around his shoulder from a Steel City legend. Ben Roethlisberger, who had his fair share of injury struggles during his Hall of Fame career, gave his verdict on the criticism Rodgers has faced post-ACL. “Coming from experience with my elbow, the first year back from a serious injury, you’re not back,” Big Ben said on his Footbahlin podcast. Roethlisberger was probably referring to his 2019 season-ending elbow injury against the Seahawks. That season, Ben was restricted to just 2 games while undergoing surgery on his right elbow.
Now, the following year, when he finally recovered, Roethlisberger believes he wasn’t back to his top form. Despite him throwing 33 TDs and just 10 INTs, Ben said, “Oh, I wasn’t all the way back”. So, referencing Rodgers’ post-ACL return, Ben added, “It’s the year after. So I think him coming back, he still feeling it out. People are like, Oh, he doesn’t quite have it anymore. No. You need one more year removed from that injury.” As for Rodgers he did come back strong in what ended up to be his last year with the Jets.
At 40, Rodgers threw 28 TDs with a passer rating of 90.5. Considering he has thought about coming back at 41 (42 in December), Rodgers still backs his 4-time NFL MVP capabilities. So, it remains to be seen whether Roethlisberger’s claim that Rodgers will come back even stronger in 2025 will come true or not. And will it happen with the Steelers that also remains unsolved?
The post Mike Tomlin Fails to Sign Aaron Rodgers’ Best Friend as Ben Roethlisberger Gives Final Verdict on Steelers’ QB Aspiration appeared first on EssentiallySports.