It takes people just one quick look at the New York Jets receiver depth chart to realize the group needs as many quality pass catchers as possible.
Whether the fanbase wants to admit it or not, former Green Bay Packers wideout Allen Lazard can be considered a quality receiver, even with all his struggles in a Jets uniform.
And while the draft is just a few weeks away, the Jets and Lazard have finally come to an agreement that makes him stay on the roster far more likely.
Allen Lazard’s pay cut
When the 2024 offseason began, Lazard’s future was as clouded as any member of the New York Jets. Entering the third season of an original four-year deal with New York, Lazard carried a cap hit of over $11 million into this offseason.
While the Jets could have moved on from Lazard through a post-June 1 release or trade, either option would have caused a headache in the salary cap management department.
The new contract agreement, first reported by Over the Cap Thursday morning, changes that completely.
Lazard took a pay cut on his new deal that saves the Jets over $8.5 million in salary cap space while also carrying a cap hit of just $4.6 million in 2025. He has two void years worth $2.2 million, which will accelerate onto the 2026 cap for a cap hit of $4.4 million. In 2025, though, his base salary is just $2.25 million.
So what does this all mean?
It means that if the Jets want to trade or release the former undrafted free agent after June 1, the team acquiring him will take on a significantly lesser dead cap charge than before. Lazard’s new team would only take on the $2.25 million base salary. This could entice a team to enter trade talks without having to worry about his $11 million contract like before.
Just because it’s easier to move Lazard now doesn’t mean the Jets actually should, though.
The case for a return
There are many reasons why Lazard struggled in his first two seasons with the Jets. Most of those struggles stem from the receiver not playing well enough to warrant the four-year deal he was given back during the 2023 offseason.
Before suffering many injuries that ended his season early last year, though, it did appear that Lazard was making some headway on improvements—however small they might have been.
While playing in only 12 games, the 29-year-old recorded 37 catches for 530 yards and six touchdowns. His catch percentage of 61.7% was his highest since the 2021 season with Green Bay.
Yes, his drop percentage of 17.8% (per PFF) was almost identical to his abysmal first season in Florham Park (17.9%), but Jets quarterbacks saw a 40-point passer rating increase when targeting Lazard in 2024 than they did the year prior.
For only $4 million next season, these numbers are far more palatable for Jets fans.
Conversations with players in the locker room have also revealed that Lazard remains a great teammate and leader in the receiver room.
While additions like Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson can boost the room and try to force Lazard out, it’s far more feasible to allow the former Packer a chance to prove himself in training camp with a new offensive structure than to cut ties. Not even an expected mid-to-late-round receiver taken in the 2025 draft will alter that.
Lazard’s new contract and pay cut allow the Jets to do whatever they want with him.
All options are now on the table.
But if the Jets want to try and build their culture the right way, having leaders like Lazard may be more beneficial than some fans realize.
