Allen Lazard is a New York Jet… will more former Packers follow?
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the New York Jets are expected to sign former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year deal worth $44 million.
From Free Agency Frenzy on @nflnetwork: The #Jets are working to finalize a deal with WR Allen Lazard at a number that’s come up over the last few days. pic.twitter.com/OGOziDZRX7
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 14, 2023
It was reported on Tuesday morning that New York was actively pursuing Lazard. Just a few hours later, it appears the two sides have come to terms on an agreement.
Lazard, 27, is entering his sixth NFL season after being signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State in 2018. He played five years for the Packers, recording 169 receptions for 2,236 yards and 20 touchdowns in 57 games (40 starts).
Lazard only played one game in his rookie season. Over the next three seasons (2019-21), Lazard developed into an efficient complementary weapon in an offense spearheaded by Davante Adams. He wasn’t targeted often but produced great results on a per-target basis.
From 2019 to 2021, Lazard caught 108 of 158 targets (68.4%) for 1,441 yards (13.3 yards per reception and 9.1 yards per target) and 14 touchdowns.
After Adams was traded to the Raiders ahead of the 2022 season, Lazard stepped up as the Packers’ new No. 1 target. He finished the season leading the team with 100 targets, which was a new career-high (40 more than his previous high), but he wasn’t quite as efficient in the featured role. While Lazard did score six touchdowns, he posted career lows in yards per target (7.9) and catch rate (60.0%). Overall, he finished with 60 catches on 100 targets for 788 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games.
In New York, Lazard can comfortably transition back into the complementary role that suits him best. With Garrett Wilson in town to handle the No. 1 duties, Lazard can focus on being a low-volume, high-efficiency receiver as he was during his three years alongside Adams.
Lazard is also known as a fantastic blocker. At 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, he boasts excellent size for the position and makes the most of it. This should make him a seamless scheme fit for the Jets’ wide-zone running game, which asks its wide receivers to make important blocks.
Next, Jets fans will wait and see if Lazard will be joined by the man who threw him the ball throughout his entire Packers career.
