Packers film room: Allen Lazard shows off his versatility against Bears

On his way to six receptions totaling 75 yards and a touchdown and a rushing attempt that went for 14 yards, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard produced his most complete game of the season against the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

The fourth-year receiver usually puts together solid performances on a weekly basis, but stuffing the stat sheet is not a regular occurrence. Lazard is a lunch-pale receiver, whose value is predominately felt as a run blocker. However, standing at 6-5 and weighing 227 pounds, he is also a receiver capable of making big-time catches when called upon.

We haven’t seen it as much in 2021, but his outing against the Bears was a good reminder of what Lazard brings to this Packers’ offense. Let’s review the film to look at the many things Lazard did well in a win over Chicago.

It wouldn’t be right to start this film review off with anything but a run block. This has been Lazard’s calling card for the last few seasons, and he is now recognized as one of the best run-blocking wide receivers in the NFL. Whether it’s a safety or linebacker, Lazard is not afraid to challenge someone in the run game. He also brings a physical presence that every wide receiver room needs.

Lazard logged a season-high 75 receiving yards last week and a large chunk came from this long third down. For starters, this is just an unreal throw by Aaron Rodgers. Only a quarterback with complete trust in his receiver would even attempt this. Lazard runs a deep over and is basically just looking for space once he crosses the opposite hash. Rodgers puts the perfect amount of touch on this ball but give credit to Lazard for high-pointing this catch. This is a great example of his route running and athleticism that makes him a threatening target in Green Bay.

Years of watching a craftsman like Davante Adams have rubbed off on Lazard. In the first clip, Adams beats outside leverage by selling the fade with his release and eyes. Next, we see Lazard using footwork and patience to win this route to the inside for the first Packers touchdown. His technique as a route runner has drastically improved over the years.

Here is another example of Lazard doing the little things. He receives a check from Rodgers pre-snap because he is uncovered in a tight formation. This allows an easy completion and displays Lazard’s wiggle after the catch. For a big receiver, he is capable of making guys miss.

In Matt LaFleur’s offense, Lazard is consistently schemed to make crack blocks from tight alignments. And when you have a creative mind like LaFleur, this opens up other possibilities. On this play, it looks like Lazard is moving down to block the safety, but instead, it allows him to create the necessary separation for an out route. This show’s how a player like Lazard allows LaFleur to marry the run and the pass.

Ben Fennell found a similar play from earlier in the game.

As if we haven’t shown enough of Lazard’s versatility, this was his 14-yard run to pick up a first down in the third quarter. Lazard will never be a Pro-Bowl wide receiver, but his unique skill set is what makes him a great fit for the Packers.

List

Stars, studs and duds from Packers' 45-30 win over Bears in Week 14