The Green Bay Packers watched their star wide receiver leave for free agency. They weren’t about to let their No. 2 receiver walk as well.
It was announced Monday that the team had re-signed wideout Allen Lazard to a one-year restricted free-agent tender.
Packers WR Allen Lazard is under contract for 2022; he's due to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. https://t.co/GWeKMF3pQn
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 13, 2022
Lazard is entering the final year of his contract and did not attend the Packers’ minicamp last week, which was seen as an indication that he was looking for a long-term deal. Given that Davante Adams spurned Green Bay for a free-agent deal with the Las Vegas Raiders as well as Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, Lazard had a bit of leverage as the top returning wide receiver in terms of pass receptions.
Aaron Rodgers referred to Lazard as the Packers’ “dirty work guy” last week, which probably helped his cause even more.
Time to bring the Lombardi back home #AtTheTop https://t.co/WcyeUeQEQf pic.twitter.com/Em2q05wLDl
— Allen Lazard 👑 (@AllenLazard) June 13, 2022
With this deal, the 26-year-old will make $3.986 million in 2022.
Per Pro Football Talk, many think that Lazard will eventually want to sign with the Denver Broncos and reunite with former OC Nate Hackett, who is now the head coach there. But for now, he’s a prime Packers pass-catching target, having hauled in 40 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns last year, all of which were career highs.
The Packers have also signed Sammy Watkins and drafted Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs to compete for those Aaron Rodgers passes.
