Key Takeaways:
– New York Jets considering potential moves ahead of training camp, Allen Lazard could be up for trade.
– Bleacher Report analysis suggests Lazard’s high cost and lower placement on depth chart may warrant trade.
– Lazard previously a valuable contributor to the Packers, values not replicating with the Jets leading to speculated offload.
– Previous attempts at trading Lazard were not successful, the wide receiver is struggling in off-season workouts.
– With multiple starting-caliber options, there’s a chance Lazard may be playing for a different team by 2024.
Body
After a disappointing performance following a four-year $44 million contract, Allen Lazard of the New York Jets may be finding a fresh start with a new team ahead of the 2024 season. A recent examination by Joe Tansey from Bleacher Report threw up several possible trade targets among the Jets, including the underperforming Lazard.
Allen Lazard and the Jets’ Dilemma
With the inclusion of Mike Williams, Lazard now finds himself below the pecking order on the depth chart. “Lazard would be a pricey trade acquisition for any team,” Tansey wrote. However, he also delineated the added value of offloading Lazard’s contract for the Jets in case their current plans prove unsuccessful.
Despite Lazard’s disappointing performance last season, it’s significant to appreciate his overall NFL journey. Lazard entered the NFL world with no high expectations on his shoulders. However, he substantiated his value as a key contributor at Iowa State during his college career.
How Lazard’s NFL journey unfolded
Lazard, standing at 6’4″, earned three All-Big 12 selections but went undrafted in 2018. Subsequently, the Jacksonville Jaguars recruited him as an undrafted free agent, but he never got a chance to showcase his skill.
The Green Bay Packers saw potential in Lazard and was added to their squad later that same year. He swiftly rose to become a full-time contributor in 2019, obtaining a starting spot by 2020. Renown for his blocking ability, Lazard finished his tenure in Green Bay. A list of his achievements includes 2,236 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns from 169 catches across five seasons.
In hopes of familiarizing the ground for Aaron Rodgers, the Jets invited Lazard to join before 2023. Regrettably, he fell short of expectations, garnering just 311 yards and a single touchdown last year. He ended the season on the bench, heavily underperforming, which speculated his future with the team.
Trade Rumors Surrounding Lazard
Trading rumors surrounding Lazard aren’t uncommon as reports circulated in March that the Jets were seeking trade possibilities. However, they discovered no interested parties. Adding to the discomfort, Zack Rosenblatt from The Athletic reported that Lazard is struggling with off-season workouts.
“Lazard dropped a pass from Rodgers at the sideline, and during a seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 drill, Rodgers was 1 of 5 when targeting Lazard, with 8 of 10 successfully targeting other players,” Rosenblatt wrote in May.
While his previous value as a key player for the Packers shouldn’t be forgotten, his performance with the Jets leaves much to be desired. Given the presence of star player Garrett Wilson and veteran Mike Williams, it isn’t shocking that the Jets may be musing over a Lazard trade. Considering these developments, odds are that Lazard may be donning a new jersey as we go into the 2024 NFL season.