Aaron Rodgers’ Longtime Teammate ‍Shares Warning to NFL

Wide receiver Alan Lazard, who⁢ played alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers from 2018-22, recently shared his thoughts on Rodgers’ recovery from a serious injury. Lazard spoke with Mark Cannizzaro of The New York Post, discussing Rodgers’ progress this summer.

“He’s out there somewhere,” Lazard said of Rodgers. “He’s amazing and wonderful. Probably great.”

Rodgers, ⁤40, won MVP honors in the 2020 and 2021 campaigns but hasn’t been a ⁢dominant force since. He suffered a broken thumb in the 5th week of the 2022 season and a‌ rib injury in Week⁤ 12 of the ‌same campaign, slowing him down a bit. During his ⁣first offseason with the Jets, he dealt with calf problems.

By all accounts, Rodgers has impressed fans and teammates throughout ‌training camp this summer. ⁤However, head coach Robert Saleh is determined ‌to keep him for the ​future,‌ excluding him from all three of New York’s preseason games.

“Honestly, he’s better than he’s ever‌ been,” Lazard said of​ Rodgers. “Not to overstate him or anything, but…”

Lazard didn’t have to finish his point. The Jets are a team that can win right now, ⁤as Rodgers enters the twilight of his career. As of Monday morning, ‍DraftKings Sportsbook has the Jets as the favorites to win the AFC East Division‍ title this season, ‍at +165.

Meanwhile, Lazard and New York struggled on offense last season, playing⁢ without Rodgers. Specifically, Lazard had just 23 receptions for 311 yards and one‌ touchdown⁤ in ⁤14 games.

“It’s been a tough year,” Lazard​ admits.⁣ “It’s just been tough. The truth is, I’ve spent my entire career trying to get that stability⁤ and security⁤ up until ⁤last year. I’m in a new city with a new adventure. ⁢It almost feels like I’m ‌finally getting this check⁤ in my life… and then of course, the seasons are⁤ what they are.”

If New York’s 2024 ⁢season is anything like the 2023 campaign, Lazard could be one of the current members of the organization set to be laid off in early 2025.