Jets' Allen Lazard is happy Aaron Rodgers is his quarterback again

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - No one missed Aaron Rodgers last year more than Allen Lazard.

After a forgettable first season as a Jet, Lazard opened 2024 with just the second two-touchdown game of his career in Monday night’s loss to the 49ers. He was asked the difference between last year and this one.

“Aaron Rodgers,” Lazard said.

Tyrod Taylor threw Lazard his second touchdown, but his point is well taken.

Lazard has chemistry with Rodgers from Green Bay, and the passer is an all-time great. Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian quarterbacked the Jets after Rodgers was injured in Week 1 last year. Lazard, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract before last season, caught 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown. He was benched three times.

On the Rodgers’ touchdown Monday, he got the 49ers to jump offsides - and Lazard knew exactly what to do. He busted out, put his arm up and Rodgers fired the pass to him for a 36-yard score.

“When they jump offsides I’m just thinking touchdown and what’s the easiest path to get there,” Lazard said. “The middle of the field was wide open. I just took it.”

Lazard had six catches for 89 yards – both highs with the Jets. He never caught more than three passes in a game last year.

Rodgers joked about Lazard dropping his first target Monday, but he loved seeing him make a key block on Breece Hall’s rushing touchdown.

“I'm as proud of him [about] the goal-line play as anything else because that's how he got paid,” Rodgers said. “He got paid being the grimy guy, sticking his head in there and blocking guys and finishing plays.

“Last year was definitely really hard for him, but that's the Allen that I think you guys have all seen in training camp and the Allen that I know and love.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.