When the New York Jets signed wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million deal last offseason, they did it because of his familiarity with Aaron Rodgers.
Then, Rodgers tore his Achilles in the Jets’ opening drive of 2023, ending his season and also severely compromising Lazard’s role with the club.
In 14 games last year, Lazard logged just 23 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown in what represented his least productive campaign since his rookie season back in 2018.
In a recent mailbag, Connor Hughes of SNY said that he believes the Jets think their decision to sign Lazard was a miscue.
“The Jets added Lazard last season because of his relationship with Rodgers, Hughes wrote. “They wanted him to have someone familiar to throw to. Obviously, that is not a very good reason to sign a player to a contract worth $11 million annually. The Jets, if they had to answer honestly, I believe would admit that signing Lazard was a mistake.”
Hughes added that people told him Lazard didn’t change as a player last year; it was just that he didn’t have Rodgers throwing him the football where he could get to it.
But here’s the thing: Rodgers is coming back for 2024, so it’s entirely possible that Lazard’s role will expand. However, there is also a chance that Lazard will be the team’s No. 4 receiver, at best.
New York already had Garrett Wilson, and it added Mike Williams in free agency. It also drafted Malachi Corley out of Western Kentucky, giving Gang Green a very intriguing trio at wide out. Then there is second-year receiver Xavier Gipson, who may also be ahead of Lazard on the depth chart.
Where does Lazard fit into all of that?
At 6-foot-5 and around 230 pounds, Lazard is certainly a big target, and he could represent a solid red-zone guy for Rodgers. Back in 2021, Lazard hauled in eight touchdown grabs with the Green Bay Packers.
However, with the Jets having so many weapons on their roster, including a fine tight end in Tyler Conklin and a great pass-catching running back in Breece Hall, Lazard may be the odd man out.
The problem is that Lazard is untradeable because of his contract, and the Jets also can’t cut him, because it would be too costly.
New York may just have to live with Lazard on the roster in 2024, and who knows? He and Aaron Rodgers may end up rekindling some of their magic from their Packers days.
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