The 3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers could use some help at wide receiver after Calvin Austin III suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday that required a hospital visit. Austin has been the clear WR2 for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the early season.
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Ben Skowronek has the third-most receiving yards for the Steelers, but his 22 receiving yards rank seventh on the team. The injury to Austin should give the Pittsburgh front office reason to find another receiver to help boost the offense and make the most of having Rodgers on the roster.
Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh of PennLive named New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard as an intriguing option to trade for before the deadline on Nov. 4.
Lazard has a history with Rodgers, as the two were teammates with the Green Bay Packers and Jets. Because of their familiarity, the impact would be felt almost immediately.
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“Another veteran who is not the focal point of the offense he plays in anymore, Lazard feels like the type of player who is the easy button option for the Steelers,” Farabaugh wrote. “He brings a bigger, physical presence than the Steelers have in the room and the Aaron Rodgers connection is obvious.
“So far this season, Lazard has just three catches, and while he was eager to prove himself away from Rodgers it might be better for him to settle back into a comfortable pocket. There would be little learning curve for Lazard, too, which would help the Steelers get an instant boost of help to their wide receiver room.”
The price for Lazard shouldn’t be more than a late Day 3 draft pick. Lazard, 29, has just three receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown this season. After a 0-4 start, New York should be a seller at the trade deadline.
Lazard’s contract is cheap ($1.75 million guaranteed), as he took an $8.5 million pay cut this summer. He’ll be a free agent in 2026, meaning Pittsburgh won’t have to stay committed to Lazard if Rodgers decides to retire after the season.
The move is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Steelers, unlike what the Jets did when they gave Rodgers a familiar target in Davante Adams last season.
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