Rodgers' Recommendation: Jets' Receiver Among 'Worst Free-Agent Signings'
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
For the second year in a row, the New York Jets are in the market for a reliable secondary receiver to line up opposite WR1 Garrett Wilson.
In an attempt to bolster the receiving corps last March, the Jets agreed to a four-year contract, reportedly worth $44 million, with former Green Bay Packer Allen Lazard. Vastly underperforming expectations, Lazard averaged a career-low 22.2 receiving yards per game and found the end zone only once.
The 2023 results landed Lazard in the No. 4 spot on Sports Illustrated's list of "12 worst NFL free-agent signings of 2023." The Jets' failed free agent was one of two receivers on the list, joining New England Patriots' pass-catcher JuJu Smith-Schuster.
SI Writes:
"Lazard, 28, failed to make an impact in his first season with the Jets, recording only 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown. His numbers could improve in Year 2 if Aaron Rodgers stays healthy throughout the season. The two had chemistry as members of the Green Bay Packers. But with the money the Jets handed Lazard, they needed him to step up for backup Zach Wilson last year."
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Catching fewer than 47 percent of targets, Lazard finished as the fourth-leading receiver on the NFL's 30th-ranked passing offense (171.7).
"He’ll come around," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh after the struggling receiver caught 2 of 6 targets for 18 yards in a Week 9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. "He’s got the right mindset, so I’m not overly concerned about the direction he’s going."
Contrary to Saleh's optimistic prediction, Lazard was unable to snap out of his slump and made only four more catches the remainder of the 2023 campaign. He was a healthy scratch for three of the season's last seven games.
Although Rodgers's return should provide a boost to the 28-year-old Lazard, the Jets are reportedly pursuing an addition through free agency. Buffalo Bills' WR2 Gabe Davis and Cincinnati Bengals' veteran Tyler Boyd are two free agents who could draw interest from Gang Green. Trading for a receiver such as the Denver Broncos' Cortland Sutton could be another route for the Jets to take.
