Allen Lazard came to the New York Jets with a big contract and high expectations. He's leaving after almost three disappointing seasons.
The Jets released the veteran wide receiver on Tuesday, cutting ties with Lazard after his role diminished significantly this season even as the offense struggled to produce. With three games left in the regular season, the 30-year-old will be able to sign elsewhere.
Lazard had only 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown this season while playing in just 10 games after he was buried on the depth chart.
Lazard came to the Jets as one of the team's biggest offseason moves in 2023, signing a four-year, $44 million contract — a month before he was reunited with Aaron Rodgers, his former quarterback in Green Bay who was acquired in a trade by New York.
The two showed instant chemistry in training camp that summer, but the connection never materialized in the regular season when Rodgers was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Lazard finished with 23 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown in 14 games.
With Rodgers back, Lazard was a bit more productive last season, with 37 receptions for 530 yards and six scores in 12 games, but never quite made the impact the Jets expected.
Rodgers was released by the Jets in the offseason after Aaron Glenn took over as coach and Lazard agreed to restructure his contract to remain on the team. But he didn't have a role in new coordinator Tanner Engstrand's offense this season, even though New York was in desperate need of a playmaker with Justin Fields struggling as the starting quarterback.
Lazard is regarded as an excellent blocker, but he also had a reputation for dropping passes — something that hurt him at times with the Jets. Top wide receiver Garrett Wilson has been on injured reserve since last month with a knee injury, but that didn't boost Lazard's opportunities. Instead, Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III — both acquired before the trade deadline last month — have emerged as regulars in the offense.
