The New York Jets have cut veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard ahead of their Week 16 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz broke the news on social media, “Sources: Jets are releasing WR Allen Lazard at his request. An intriguing WR addition to the FA market.”
The Inevitable Comes for Lazard
Lazard’s disastrous tenure with the Jets has come to an end.
The former Iowa State product originally joined the team on a four-year $44 million contract. It was a move that appeased Aaron Rodgers, who would inevitably be traded to the Jets later that offseason from the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers’ Achilles exploded four plays into his first season with the team in 2023, and Lazard didn’t exactly jive with the other quarterbacks on the roster.
Lazard ended up appearing in 36 games and made 24 starts. He finished his Jets’ tenure with 70 receptions for 911 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Lazard’s time with the Jets was marred by drops, attitude issues, and he was a healthy scratch by multiple coaching staffs on several occasions.
Jets Needed to Move on and Start Fresh
Truthfully, the Jets should have ripped off the band-aid when they decided to move on from Rodgers this offseason.
Lazard has a career in the NFL because of Rodgers. The two were a package deal.
In the game last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets designed a red zone play for Lazard from undrafted free agent Brady Cook amid a 3-10 season, which inevitably became a 3-11 season after their blowout loss.
Why was offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand picking something from the playbook that featured Lazard? Why did those plays even exist?
It’s time to play the young guys.
This is a split that made sense for all parties. Lazard can now try to catch on with a contender, and the Jets can play the players on the team that need experience.
Top Social Media Reactions to Lazard Jets News
“The Jets and Allen Lazard have mutually agreed to part ways, sources tell @SNYtv. He will be released. One of the worst free-agent signings in recent years for the team. New York gave Lazard a four-year, $44m deal. Never had more than 530 yards in any of his three seasons with the team. This year, Lazard has 18 catches for 70 yards and a TD in 10 games,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY shared.
“Lazard did not perform well on the field, had questionable practice habits, and rubbed some teammates the wrong way with way he acted once Aaron Rodgers arrived. Stunned he was with team this long,” Hughes added.
NFL Insider Ari Meirov explained that Lazard will be subject to waivers after being cut. If he clears waivers, Lazard would be free to sign with any team that he chooses. However, if he is claimed on waivers, Lazard will be assigned to that team.
“It was quite the tenure for Allen Lazard. Over the last three years, he had the second-highest drop rate in the NFL among all pass-catchers with at least 100 targets,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Jets WR Requests His Release, Team Acquiesces Before Saints Contest appeared first on Heavy Sports.