The New York Jets are apparently planning a Green Bay Packers foray for Aaron Rodgers as they try to sign one of their favorite targets, wide receiver Allen Lazard and his close friend Randall Cobb.
The Jets are working to reach an agreement with the free agent Packers with another unknown team involved, but there is currently no final decision, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Meanwhile, Schefter has also reported that Gang Green is targeting another of Rodgers’ current wide receivers in veteran Cobb.
The moves could open the door to a possible meeting at MetLife Stadium, as the Jets also look to execute a trade for four-time MVP Rodgers.
The 39-year-old has yet to make a decision about his NFL future, debating between staying in Green Bay, retiring or moving to New York.
The Jets are trying to sign wide receiver Allen Lazard (L) amidst the pursuit of Aaron Rodgers (R)
Rodgers’ close friend and veteran Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is also ‘on his radar’
However, the Jets are said to be ‘cautiously optimistic about a move with increasing momentum over the past 24 hours. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk he even reported Monday night that Rodgers plans to agree to a trade to New York eventually.
Along with now-Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, Lazard has been one of Rodgers’ favored targets for the Packers.
During their five seasons together in Green Bay, Lazard has caught 168 passes for 2,216 yards and 19 touchdowns from Rodgers.
While Adams was still with the Packers, Lazard posted what were career highs across the board at the time in 2021, making 40 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns.
Green Bay then traded Adams to the Raiders before the 2022 season, moving Lazard up the depth chart and to the de facto No. 1 rank.
He went on to set new career highs in targets (100), receptions (60) and receiving yards (788), as well as finding the end zone six times last season.
While there is still uncertainty as to whether Rodgers will end up in New York, signing Lazard will be a huge asset in the Jets’ arsenal.
Meanwhile, Cobb is said to be very good friends with Rodgers and the quarterback convinced the Packers to bring him back after spending one season with Dallas and one with Houston.
The wide receiver found the end zone six times last season as a target for Rodgers
Lazard has caught 168 passes for 2,216 yards and 19 touchdowns from Rodgers in five seasons.
Cobb, who turns 33 in August, has spent a total of 10 seasons with Rodgers beginning in 2011 and is now said to be on the Jets’ radar as they step up their efforts to reach a deal with the quarterback.
The receiver caught 28 passes for 375 yards with five touchdowns in 2021. He caught 34 passes for 417 yards with a TD in 13 games last season.
The franchise is also believed to be looking to reunite both receivers with offensive coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was with Green Bay from 2019-21 and was hired by the Jets this offseason after his failed stint as head coach in Denver.
By bringing in the trifecta of Hackett, Lazard and Cobb, the Jets could be making all the right moves to appease Rodgers in the middle of their recruiting drive.
In addition to Hackett and Lazard, Rodgers would go into a quality offense with one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL in Garrett Wilson and a promising and dynamic slot receiver in Elijah Moore who is already part of the Jets’ receiving corps.
New York also has veteran Corey Davis at its disposal, but if he signs Lazard, it could spell the end of his tenure, as the Jets could save $10.5 million against the salary cap if they release him.
Following reports that the Jets may be closing in on a deal with Rodgers on Monday, the quarterback created confusion on Twitter.
Rodgers then sent fans into a frenzy by writing on Twitter: ‘SULLLLLL’, followed by two laughing and crying face emojis.
Lazard and Cobb’s move would reunite them with former Green Bay CO Nathaniel Hackett.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Rodgers created confusion with a Twitter post Monday
The comment could refer to Douglas’s first name and then quote Rodgers’ Tweet.
The post caused some confusion, but it appears his Packers teammate Rasul Douglas was behind it all, proving he has the star quarterback’s phone number.
The comment could refer to Douglas’s first name and would then quote Rodgers’ Tweet with: “I told y’all I have his phone.”
Earlier in the day, a Twitter user asked Douglas to prove he had Rodgers’ phone by posting something from the quarterback’s account.
‘What do you want me to tweet on her account and I will, something to prove it’s me?’
Meanwhile, Jets players have also been active on social media, launching their own recruiting drive, with Willow Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall publicly pitching Rodgers, even burning the cheese head that was used after the Jets win over Packers last season.