Aaron Rodgers found a familiar face for his first home TD with the Jets.
With Rodgers seemingly healthy again, Allen Lazard caught a screen and sprinted 10 yards for a score in the first quarter of a 24-3 win over the Patriots on Thursday night.
Rather than celebrate, Lazard immediately ran over to Rodgers and handed him the ball as a souvenir, a symbolic moment that contrasted with the quarterback's final appearance at MetLife, when he tore his Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of Game 1, ruining Gang Green's 2023 season.
Lazard struggled last season without Rodgers.
He caught just 23 of 49 passes for 311 yards, a steep drop in his production from his previous seasons with the Packers under Rodgers.
Lazard, who joined the Jets on a four-year, $44 million contract that was seen as an appeasement move for Rodgers, was suspended for the final two games of last season.
But as expected, he's performing better with the Jets (2-1).
The 28-year-old has already scored three touchdowns, two more than last season.
Friday's score was a funny sight because, although the tackle was missed, Lazard's compression undershirt stretched about eight yards behind him in the hands of New England cornerback Alex Austin. Austin never let go of his white shirt.
Lazard appeared to have a giant tail.
He then caught a 27-yard pass on the Jets' next drive and Breece Hall's 1-yard touchdown rush gave Gang Green a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
Lazard caught three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
“Winning heals a lot of things,” Lazard said. “It feels great. Last year was my last year. I've had a lot of adversity in my life but I've always overcome it. Those moments suck and are not fun at all but that's life.”
Rodgers hugged Lazard after Thursday's touchdown, which was notable because the quarterback appeared to forcefully reject a hug from Saleh later in the game.
The ball was handed off to Rodgers by Lazard and recorded as “Rodgers' first touchdown at MetLife.”
It was another moment the former Packers players could share, less than two weeks after Rodgers scored his first touchdown as a Jet.
“Going into the San Francisco game, I told him he was going to get his first touchdown with the Jets, and then he got his first touchdown here,” said Durant. [MetLife] “That moment at the stadium to finish out last season was a special moment for us,” Lazard said. “It was great to have him back. At 40 years old, with an Achilles injury, playing three games and coming back here.” [11] Every day I am proud of everyone, especially him.
“It was a special moment for us.
