Aaron Rodgers channels Davante Adams' 'Hall of Fame' comment when talking about Allen Lazard
Aaron Rodgers rarely misses the opportunity to make a joke, and the Green Bay Packers quarterback certainly didn't hold himself back Wednesday.
When asked about the adjustment he'll face going from the ultra-talented Davante Adams to Allen Lazard as his top target at wide receiver, Rodgers quoted his ex-wideout almost verbatim.
“I mean, it’s always tough going from Hall of Famer to Hall of Famer," Rodgers said, as reporters around him laughed. From Davante to Allen, it’s gonna be a transition, but he’s capable of a lot."
Aaron Rodgers on going from Davante Adams to Allen Lazard as WR1:
“I mean it’s always tough going from Hall of Famer to Hall of Famer. From Davante to Allen, it’s gonna be a transition, but he’s capable of a lot.” pic.twitter.com/pBveMG5Qqh— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) July 27, 2022
This is almost assuredly a reference to what Adams said last week about Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. Adams, who was traded from the Packers to the Raiders this past offseason, said he was going from "a Hall of Famer to a Hall of Famer," which basically insinuated Carr would make the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite the glaring differences between Carr's and Rodgers' careers. Rodgers is a four-time MVP, 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, while Carr is been selected to three Pro Bowls in his eight-year career.
Adams compared Carr and Rodgers similarly earlier this offseason, too.
Rodgers' comparison between Adams and Lazard is objectively funny because of the even more glaring production disparity between Adams and Lazard. Adams has finished with more than 100 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions in three of the past four seasons, while Lazard cleared 40 catches for at least 500 receiving yards for the first time in his three-year career in 2021.
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Whether Rodgers truly believes Lazard is a Hall of Fame player doesn't really matter. Lazard will be Rodgers' No. 1 passing option almost by default with Adams gone and Marquez Valdes-Scantling now with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers do have 2022 second-round pick Christian Watson, too, but he likely will need more time before he has the trust of Rodgers.
Lazard went undrafted out of Iowa State in 2018 and landed on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad before joining the Packers and being promoted to the active roster in 2019. He has 109 career receptions for 1,448 yards and 14 touchdowns — eight of which came in 2021.
"The way things have gone with the reps and the guys that we've had here, the targets that we doled out, [Lazard] hasn't had a ton of opportunities," Rodgers added. "Since his first day here he's turned heads. ... I like a hungry Allen Lazard."
Adams and Rodgers appeared to be on good terms despite the offseason trade, though reports surfaced that Adams wanted out of Green Bay even if the Packers were willing to meet his contract demands. Adams also reportedly wanted to leave the Packers because of Aaron Rodger's own future with the team. Adams got a five-year, $141.25 million contract with the Raiders, while Rodgers signed a four-year, $200 million extension to stay with the Packers despite rumors he didn't want to remain in Green Bay.
