The New York Jets’ head coach explained his reasoning for benching one of the team’s main off-season additions
Robert Saleh has revealed his reasoning for not playing a key offseason addition.
During his media availability after Friday’s game, the Jets head coach said he chose to bench wide receiver Allen Lazard because “there are things that we all need to get better at, including him.”
“He is going to be here for the next year-and-a-half. He’s going to be a part of this… I wanted to get some of the young guys an opportunity to play,” said Saleh.
“It’s kind of a challenge to see if he can recapture the edge and who he is and the person that we have a lot of faith in. He’s a good football player. I do believe that. For Allen, he will be back sooner rather than later.”
Saleh later clarified his comments, stating, “He hasn’t been playing up to his standard. Everyone is pressing on that side of the ball to make something happen. There are parts of his game that need to get better.”
Unfortunately for the Jets, Lazard is the latest offseason move that has not worked out for the team this season.
Lazard has had an issue with drops, recording five drops against only 20 receptions for a dismal drop rate of 20% (worst in the NFL among WR with 20+ receptions). The former Packers receiver has also looked less explosive than in past years and has cost the Jets multiple plays with bad penalties, recording four penalties in total.
Lazard has the potential to bounce back in the later parts of the season and when Aaron Rodgers returns next year. He has performed well with the future Hall-of-Famer before, catching six and eight touchdown passes in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Yet, Lazard has not shown many signs of that player up to this point in his Jets tenure. His struggles reflect poorly on a Joe Douglas-led front office that has failed to hit on multiple free-agent signings in the past few years.
Lazard was supposed to be a pivotal addition to the Jets’ offense and help them be more effective on offense. With Saleh already having to motivate the veteran in public, the signing is shaping up to be the latest issue for the team in a season chock full of them.
