Allen Lazard Released By the New York Jets
The Aaron Rodgers experiment in New York hasn’t just failed; it has been dismantled, piece by piece, until almost nothing remains. On Tuesday, the New York Jets made the latest move in their total teardown, officially releasing Wide Receiver Allen Lazard.
It is the end of an era that feels like it never really started.
Reports indicate the split was a “mutual agreement,” which is usually NFL code for a veteran wanting out of a losing situation and a team wanting to stop paying a premium for minimal production. With the Jets sitting at a dismal 3-11 and staring down the barrel of another rebuild, Lazard asked to be cut loose, and the front office was more than happy to oblige.
The Lazard Contract: A Swing and a Miss
Let’s be honest about the numbers here, because they are staggering. When the Jets handed Lazard a four-year, $44 million contract ahead of the 2023 season, it was widely seen as a tax paid to appease Aaron Rodgers. The logic was simple: bring in the quarterback’s favorite target, build chemistry, and watch the offense fly.
That didn’t happen.
Lazard leaves New York with a stat line that will make Jets fans wince. Across nearly three seasons, he suited up for 36 games and hauled in just 70 receptions. He managed 911 yards and 8 touchdowns over that span, numbers you’d usually expect from a WR2 in a single good season, not a multi-year tenure.
This season has been particularly rough. Lazard, now 30 years old, has been a non-factor. He appeared in 10 games, catching just 10 passes for 70 yards and a single score. For a guy making marquee money, those are practice squad numbers. He was even a healthy scratch four times, watching from the sidelines while the offense sputtered.
Where Does Lazard Land Next?
Despite the ugly ending in New York, Lazard likely won’t be unemployed for long. In the NFL, familiarity is currency, and Lazard has a very specific set of skills. The rumor mill is already churning, and one destination makes too much sense to ignore: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Rodgers now taking snaps in the “Steel City,” a reunion feels almost inevitable. Pittsburgh is currently leading the AFC North and looking to make a playoff push, but it’s been hunting for receiver help all season. Rodgers trusts Lazard. In a league where trust is hard to come by, that connection might be enough to get Lazard on a plane to Pennsylvania.
Another option? A return to the Green Bay Packers. With Christian Watson potentially banged up, Lazard could head back to the frozen tundra where he first made a name for himself.
The Jets Turn Toward the Future
For New York, this move is about turning the page. The rest of this lost season is officially an audition for 2026. By moving on from Lazard, the Jets clear the runway for younger talent. Expect to see a heavy dose of Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie in these final three weeks.
The organization needs to know if these young guys can play. Giving snaps to a 30-year-old veteran on an expiring tenure doesn’t help the rebuild; feeding the rookies does. It is a quiet end to a loud contract. Lazard came in with high hopes and playoff aspirations. He leaves via a Tuesday press release, a symbol of a super-team that never was.
