NOTEWORTHY
Jets, Lazard reach deal
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS
The New York Jets are reportedly adding a former Green Bay Packer.
But no, not that one – at least not yet.
As the Jets continue their pursuit of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, NFL Network confirmed a report from The Score that free agent wide receiver Allen Lazard has agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal with New York. The deal includes $22 million guaranteed.
Lazard, 27, has spent five seasons in the NFL, all of them with the Packers and with Rodgers as his quarterback. When the Packers traded former receiver Davante Adams to the Raiders in March of last season, Lazard became Rodgers’ preferred target, posting career highs in 2022 in receptions (60) and receiving yards (788). Lazard also added six touchdowns in 2022, which was two off of his career high set the previous season.
His receiving yardage total led the Packers and his touchdown total was one behind rookie Christian Watson for the team lead. Lazard led Green Bay in targets (100) by 34.
Lazard joins an up-and-coming receivers room in New York that features 2022 AP offensive rookie of the year Garrett Wilson, as well as Corey Davis, Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims.
Rodgers said in an interview with the “I Am Athlete” podcast Sunday that “it won’t be long” before he announces a decision on his future. The Jets, thus far, have been the only team to be publicly revealed as a suitor for Rodgers in a potential trade
NFL
Tight end Darren Waller is being traded to the New York Giants, who will send the Las Vegas Raiders a 2023 third-round draft pick, two people familiar with the deal said Tuesday.
They spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been announced. One person said the Giants will send the Raiders their No. 100 overall selection, which was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in the deal for wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
In other news around the league:
● The Dallas Cowboys acquired five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts for a fifth-round draft pick.
● The Philadelphia Eagles and running back Rashaad Penny have agreed on a contract.
The NFC champion Eagles likely won’t re-sign Miles Sanders, who led the team with 1,269 yards rushing last season.
● The Denver Broncos strengthened their offensive line, agreeing to deals with right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers.
The Broncos also fortified their defensive line, agreeing to a deal with Zach Allen.
● Austin Ekeler’s agent, Cameron Weiss, said that the Los Angeles Chargers have given Ekeler permission to seek a trade after both sides could not agree on a contract extension.
Ekeler, who has scored an NFL-high 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons, is entering the final season of a four-year, $24.5 million extension.
● The Seattle Seahawks released veteran defensive linemen Shelby Harris, a standout at Homestead High School, and Quinton Jefferson, clearing more than $13 million in salary cap space.
MLB
Left-hander José Quintana won’t make his New York Mets debut until at least July because of a stress fracture in his rib.
The 34-year-old Quintana signed a $26 million, two-year contract with the Mets in December after going 6-7 with a 2.93 ERA in 32 starts with Pittsburgh and St. Louis last season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
The UW-Green Bay has hired Sundance Wicks as its new men’s basketball coach.
Wicks recently completed his third season as an assistant at Wyoming after two seasons as the head coach at Missouri Western.
Wicks has also served as an assistant in stops at Colorado, Northern Illinois and San Francisco.
AUTO RACING
Jimmie Johnson is adding Coke and COTA to his NASCAR schedule.
The seven-time NASCAR champion said Tuesday he will drive the No. 84 Chevrolet in the March 26 race at the Circuit of the Americas and the May 28 Coca-Cola 600 as part of his limited race lineup this season.