Why's ESPN Want Cowboys to Trade for Aaron Rodgers' Jets Buddy?

As the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 season, their receiver depth remains a hot topic. ... but maybe not as "hot'' as Bristol makes it out to be.

On the heels of CeeDee Lamb getting locked into a new four-year, $136 million contract, ESPN's Bill Barnwell has suggested that the Cowboys could be a logical trade destination for New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard . And we have one question ...

Why? What is it about the Cowboys receivers room that screams for the need of a $10 million APY receiver coming off a bad year so he can come to Dallas and line up as the fourth wideout?

Lazard could provide the Cowboys with experience behind Lamb? We suppose. But he's coming off a 2023 season in which he managed just 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.

Lazard has a relationship with Dallas coach Mike McCarthy from their Green Bay days? Maybe, but they crossed paths for one year. Lazard's relationship - the whole reason he's in New York - is because of his old Packers ties with Aaron Rodgers.

Did Jets de facto GM Rodgers approve of this trade?

No. 2 wideout Brandin Cooks, some note in support of this fantasy trade, is dealing with a knee issue. Yeah, kinda. Except as of Thursday at The Star he's scheduled to practice.

The depth chart includes Jalen Tolbert, who showed flashes last season but remains largely unproven, along with other untested options like Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, and rookie Ryan Flournoy.

Barnwell seems to argue that Lazard is superior to Tolbert. We bet Dallas would argue that all Lazard would be is a progress-stopper.

Related: Defensive Player of Year: Cowboys' Micah Parsons vs. Browns' Myles Garrett

This is a never-say-never business. (See "Cook, Dalvin.'') Dallas might see value in adding a seasoned veteran like Lazard to its roster, particularly if injuries or underperformance become issues, and if as Barnwell suggests the Jets are willing to pay part of his salary (though we don't know why they'd do that.)

But for now, Cowboys fans can focus on the upcoming season opener against the Cleveland Browns ... and our educated guess is that the Cowboys themselves are prepping Lamb, Cooks and Tolbert to be at the top of the rotation on Sept. 8.