From Coveted Free Agent to Financial Albatross

Entering the 2023 season, the New York Jets made a show during the off-season. After going 7-10, the organization wanted to make a major push from rebuild to playoff contender. Entering the year amidst an eleven-season playoff drought, Joe Douglas made some major additions on offense. While he was the biggest name arriving, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the only Packer heading to East Rutherford. Allen Lazard was one of the most coveted targets in free agency before signing with New York. A year into the move, expectations thus far have not been met. While Rodgers injury is a factor, Allen Lazard couldn’t replicate that same production witnessed in 2022. After getting benched late in the season and the additions to the wide receiver room this year, the veteran might be on the outside looking in.

Allen Lazard is unlikely to be a cap casualty this season. His dead cap is worth $18 million this year if he’s released this year. The New York Jets can’t afford to inflate their already astronomical dead cap hit of $52 million. But the writing is on the wall for the receiver’s future unless he regains form quickly.

From Coveted Free Agent to Financial Albatross

Entering his seventh season in the league and his second season in New York, Allen Lazard is looking to recapture that spark that made him a commodity in Green Bay next to Davante Adams. The veteran receiver worked his way from an undrafted free agent in 2018 and turned into a preferred target for Aaron Rodgers in the twilight of his Packers tenure. He worked up the depth chart and put together a career year during the pandemic. Lazard finished the 2020 season with 513 yards on 40 receptions, including a career-high eight touchdowns. He followed that with a career-high 788 receiving yards on 60 catches in 2021.

With his connection to Rodgers, as well as his 6’5″ and 220 lbs frame being useful in run blocking, Joe Douglas wanted this man in East Rutherford. New York signed Lazard to a four-year contract worth $44 million on St.Patrick’s Day 2023. The first season did not go as planned.

Allen Lazard’s 2023 season

It’s no secret New York was up a creek without a paddle after Aaron tore his Achilles. An unfortunate injury to one of the game’s greats. Nevertheless, the season doesn’t stop for one injury. The absence of Rodgers was a detriment to the offense. None suffered more than Allen Lazard. The veteran receiver was never able to click with Zach Wilson. Routinely failed to convert on drives due to Wilson’s play and an evergrowing dropped pass problem for Lazard. He finished the season with one of the worst dropped pass rates in the league at 20%. Lazard was even benched during the team’s Black Friday loss to Miami in Tim Boyle’s season debut. Lazard’s first season in New York resulted in 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.