Could the Steelers fill that now-vacant spot in their wide receivers room with a player near and dear to Aaron Rodgers’ heart?
That appears to be the case, according to Pro Football Talk, which reported Wednesday that Jets wideout Allen Lazard is “in play” to be moved to the Steelers, who sent George Pickens to the Cowboys earlier in the day.
Lazard, the subject of trade rumors after taking an $8.5 million pay cut last month, caught passes last season from Rodgers, the apple of the Steelers’ eyes following his release from the Jets in February.
Before both landed in New York in 2023, Lazard and Rodgers were teammates for five seasons in Green Bay.
Last year, the 29-year-old Lazard tallied 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.
In his previous season with the Jets — when Zach Wilson took over for Rodgers following a season-ending Achilles injury in September 2023 — Lazard had 23 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.
The former Iowa State product originally signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets in March 2023.
The Steelers are in need of another veteran pass-catcher after shipping Pickens, a 2022 second-rounder, to Dallas in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
The Cowboys also acquired a 2026 sixth-rounder in the deal.
Pittsburgh acquired former Seattle wideout DK Metcalf in a blockbuster trade in March and signed the 27-year-old to a five-year, $150 million extension.
That same month, Pittsburgh’s pursuit of Rodgers, 41, revved up, with the four-time league MVP visiting the facility and meeting with team brass.
Rodgers spoke out about his future later in April, stating matters in his personal life are taking “precedent at this point.”
“I am trying to be open to everything and not specifically attached to anything when it comes to this decision,” Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
The Steelers re-signed veteran backup Mason Rudolph this offseason and added Ohio State’s Will Howard with the 185th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The team went 10-7 last season and reached the playoffs with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson under center. Both went to New York in free agency, with Fields joining the Jets and Wilson linking up with the Giants.
