$44 million veteran and New York Jet wide receiver, Allen Lazard is named a potential cut candidate this offseason. According to a report, the Jets could cut the Iowa State product once the 53-man roster cuts come around in training camp. However, there’s still a chance he gets an opportunity to prove his worth when Aaron Rodgers comes back from his season-ending injury last year. The same source gave the best player on every NFL team that could still be cut, including Lazard.
However, the Iowa State product hasn’t been productive with the team after catching 23 balls last season. He may only be the fourth-best receiver on the roster but a Rodgers return could provide a boost. Being good friends with the returning quarterback would probably mean staying on the team for one more year. However, if his poor level of play doesn’t improve then he could be in some serious trouble.
Expectations are not meeting with the veteran wideout after his signing with the team last season. This can all change with the franchise starter coming back to reignite the chemistry they had in Green Bay. However, the frustrations and benching last season for Lazard could come with some trouble this year. He may not forget what happened that year which could lead to speculation that he may want to join another team.
He’s not a cap casualty in any way since his dead salary money is worth $18 million this year. The Jets can’t afford to add on to their astronomical dead cap hit with $52 million. However, if frustrations are growing in New York and they feel comfortable then they could just release him. It’s up to Lazard to quickly get back to the player he was in Green Bay.
$44 Million Veteran Allen Lazard Named a Potential Cut Candidate
Will He Get His Spark Back?
Lazard is entering his seventh year with the league but it’s unclear if he can get his spark back this year. He’s been trying to light a firework to the times he was able to be a reliable wideout since the Green Bay days next to Davante Adams. Lazard was a UDFA and worked his way to the ranks as one of Rodger’s favorite targets. If he can do that, then it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he can get back to his old self.
The Iowa State product completed the 2020 campaign with the Packers, recording 40 receptions that include a career-high of eight touchdowns. He continued to establish himself as a consistent receiver after notching a career-high of 788 receiving yards on 60 catches the following year. It’s no secret he can do the same with Rodgers again but under a new offense?
That seems to be the biggest question to answer for this upcoming year. The Lazard and Rodgers connection could come to life if both can remain productive and healthy. The first season may not have gone as planned as Rodgers was out with an injury all season but things can be different now that he’s back. Here are some potential destinations for Lazard if New York decides to move on.
Potential Destinations
The Chiefs do not anticipate Rashee Rice missing out the whole year but if he does, help could be on the way. It would be helpful for the team to make a move now to give Patrick Mahomes another weapon other than Marquise Brown. They have Xavier Worthy but he needs more than just one season to adjust to the offense. However, another fit would be the Baltimore Ravens so he can join Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers as a WR3.
Since Odell Beckham Jr’s departure, the Ravens haven’t been able to find a veteran replacement. This means Lazard provides a short-term option for the slot position since they’ll need it. One desperate receiver team that needs a wideout is the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s going to be hard for Justin Herbert to be without Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
They need someone after getting about just every receiver they can including DJ Chark this free agency. However, they haven’t made any moves that would anticipate that these wideouts will stay for one more year.
