The NFL is basically a giant soap opera with more physical trauma. If you’ve been following the Pittsburgh Steelers lately, you know things just got weird. We are currently sitting in the wreckage of the 2025 season, staring at a 2026 offseason that feels like a fever dream. Mike Tomlin, the guy who never had a losing season, has officially stepped down. Aaron Rodgers, who we somehow convinced to wear black and gold for a year, is sitting at his locker contemplating if he’d rather throw touchdowns or go on another darkness retreat.
But here is the thing. Even with Tomlin gone, the "Aaron Rodgers Effect" is still very much a reality in Pittsburgh. The rumors are swirling that Aaron Rodgers could bring Allen Lazard to the Steelers as part of a package deal to keep the 42-year-old quarterback from retiring.
Honestly, it’s the most Rodgers move ever.
The Bromance That Just Won’t Die
Look, we’ve seen this movie before. Rodgers doesn't just play football; he curates a vibe. When he went from Green Bay to the New York Jets, he brought his "guys." He wanted Randall Cobb. He wanted Allen Lazard. He basically wanted the 2021 Packers roster but with better bagels.
Now, the Jets have officially moved on. They released Lazard back in December 2025 after a season where he basically became a ghost in New Jersey. He had 10 catches. Ten. You've probably had more catches in a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl. But in the eyes of Aaron Rodgers, Lazard isn't just a guy with 10 catches; he's the guy who knows exactly where to be on a broken-play scramble when the world is on fire.
The Steelers wide receiver room right now is basically D.K. Metcalf and a bunch of guys who could probably use a name tag. Sure, we’ve got Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, but the veteran presence is thin. Rodgers already convinced the front office to bring in Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen during the 2025 run. Adding Lazard would be the final infinity stone in his collection of "receivers who know my hand signals."
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Why the Steelers Might Actually Say Yes
You might be thinking, "Why on earth would the Steelers want a guy the Jets just cut?" It's a fair question. Lazard’s 2025 numbers were brutal. He finished with 70 yards and one touchdown. That's not exactly All-Pro production.
However, the Steelers are in a desperate spot. With the 21st pick in the 2026 draft, they aren't exactly in "blue-chip quarterback" territory. If they want Rodgers to stay for one more year—which reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggest they do—they have to make him comfortable.
The Lazard Advantage (If There Is One)
- The Red Zone: Lazard is 6'5". Even when he’s "washed," he’s still a massive target in the corner of the end zone. Rodgers trusts him there.
- Run Blocking: If the Steelers stay "run-heavy" under whatever new coach replaces Tomlin, Lazard is actually one of the best blocking receivers in the league.
- The Script: Rodgers is notorious for changing plays at the line. Lazard has spent seven years learning the "Rodgers Language." You can't teach that to a rookie in one training camp.
It’s a chemistry play. Basically, it’s about making sure your legendary, mercurial quarterback doesn’t walk out the door and leave you with a massive hole at QB1.
The "Tomlin Factor" and the Coaching Vacuum
Everything changed when Tomlin resigned. Rodgers came to Pittsburgh specifically to play for him. Now that he's gone, the rumors about bringing in someone like Matt LaFleur (Rodgers' old buddy from Green Bay) are heating up. If the Steelers go full "Green Bay East," then Allen Lazard isn't just a possibility; he’s an inevitability.
Some fans are rightfully annoyed. There’s a segment of the Yinzers who think we’re becoming a retirement home for former Packers. "Why are we giving snaps to 30-year-olds when Calvin Austin is sitting right there?" is a common refrain on local sports talk radio. And they aren't wrong. The Steelers have a history of building through the draft, not through the waiver wire requests of an aging superstar.
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The Reality of the Roster
Let’s talk money. Lazard is currently a free agent after clearing waivers. He took a massive pay cut with the Jets earlier in 2025 just to stay on the roster, so he’s not going to command a $10 million salary. He’s a "veteran minimum" type of guy at this point.
If the Steelers sign him, they aren't breaking the bank. They are buying insurance. If D.K. Metcalf gets doubled-teamed, Rodgers wants a guy he doesn't have to think about. He wants a guy he can trust.
| Receiver | 2025 Production (Approx) | Status for 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| D.K. Metcalf | 1,100+ Yards | Lead Dog |
| Calvin Austin III | 450 Yards | Free Agent |
| Adam Thielen | 300 Yards (Partial Season) | Veteran / TBD |
| Allen Lazard | 70 Yards (with Jets) | Free Agent |
As you can see, the production isn't there for Lazard. But the intent is. If Rodgers tells GM Omar Khan, "I'll stay if you bring in Allen," Khan is going to have that contract printed before Rodgers finishes the sentence.
What Happens Next?
The next few weeks are going to be wild. First, the Steelers need a head coach. Then, that coach needs to sit down with Rodgers and see if he's actually in for 2026. If he is, expect the news to break shortly after that Allen Lazard is headed to the South Side for a workout.
If you're a Steelers fan, you have to decide if you're okay with this. Are you okay with being "The Aaron Rodgers Show" for one more year if it means a shot at a deep playoff run? Or would you rather just blow the whole thing up and start the rebuild now?
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Given the roster's talent, the Steelers aren't in a position to tank. They are in "win now" mode, even if "now" feels a bit messy.
Next Steps for the Offseason:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: If the hire has any link to Rodgers (like a LaFleur or an old Packers assistant), the Lazard signing becomes a 99% certainty.
- Watch the Free Agency Wire: Lazard is free to sign now. If he remains unsigned until the Steelers' coaching situation is resolved, it's a sign he's waiting for the Pittsburgh call.
- Draft Strategy: If the Steelers pass on a Round 1 receiver like Makai Lemon, it’s a clear signal they are leaning on veterans like Thielen and potentially Lazard to fill the gaps.
Ultimately, the Steelers are walking a tightrope. Bringing in "Rodgers' guys" worked for a division title in 2025, but it didn't get them past the Wild Card round. Whether Allen Lazard is the missing piece or just another name on a crowded, aging depth chart remains to be seen. But in the NFL, especially in Pittsburgh, things are never boring.
Stay tuned. The legal tampering period starts soon, and Rodgers usually likes to make his moves when we least expect it.