Rekindled Rodgers to Lazard Connection Will Go Dormant Temporarily on Thursday
Aaron Rodgers was active at training camp practice on Monday, but that won't be the case when the New York Jets take the field for the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday in Canton.
The future Hall-of-Fame quarterback ended the padded practice session, which was open to the media, by hitting familiar target Allen Lazard for a red zone touchdown.
One day earlier, Lazard made a highlight-reel scoring snag over safety Jordan Whitehead. A couple of dropped passes, however, have accompanied the impressive plays.
"There's been ups and downs, I think so far through camp, and everything, but we haven't even played our first preseason game yet," said Lazard after Practice No. 9. "So, there's no rush into feeling like we need to be at that Super Bowl level quality, level of play, right now. There has been progression as well as a lot of room to grow."
There will be no ups or downs for Rodgers, Lazard or other starters when the Jets kick off the NFL Preseason against the Cleveland Browns on August 5.
"We’re really just trying to get the young guys a lot of playing time, see what we got in them, so we’re not anticipating any of our starters playing and a couple of vets for that matter," said head coach Robert Saleh on Sunday heading into game week.
For Lazard, watching preseason games from the sidelines has become standard operating procedure.
"Personally, I haven't played in a preseason game since 2019," said Lazard.
Even when he's inactive, the veteran receiver brings value to the Jets' offense.
"Receivers might be receiving that thing a little bit differently, so a guy like Randall [Cobb] and Allen [Lazard] could say ‘hey this is what he means’ in receiver language and they’re like ‘oh, okay,'" said Saleh on Monday.
Breaking into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018, Lazard has played his entire career with Rodgers.
"When we're having our individual meetings, Aaron's not in there talking about this or that." said Lazard. "But being in so many meetings with him, having experience on the field, kind of be able to speak for him as to what he would be thinking in certain situations."
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Now with a new team in a new situation, Lazard hasn't seen a change in his quarterback.
"He's the same Aaron I've known since I met him in 2018," said Lazard, who led the Packers in receptions (60) and receiving yards (788) last year.
Rodgers and Lazard are back in business in a different city, but fans will have to wait a few more weeks before seeing them in a real game situation.
QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Allen Lazard at Jets' OTAs on May 31
© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com
Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game will air live on NBC at 8:30 pm ET with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth on the call.
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