Allen Lazard may have taken a pay cut but his Jets future is still murky

Allen Lazard is staying with the New York Jets — for now. The veteran wide receiver agreed to a significant pay cut on Thursday, reducing his 2025 base salary from $11 million to $2.25 million, with just $1.75 million guaranteed.

The restructured deal also voids the final year of his contract, making him a free agent after the upcoming season. The move saves the Jets $8.5 million in cap space in 2025 and carries a dead cap hit of just $4.4 million once his contract voids in 2026.

While many have been quick to assume Lazard’s new contract locks in his spot for the upcoming season, that might not be the case. The deal offers Lazard some security, but it also gives the Jets plenty of flexibility moving forward.

Lazard's future in New York remains uncertain, and his revised contract suggests the Jets are keeping their options open. There's a chance the Jets move him before the start of the 2025 season.

Allen Lazard's NY Jets future remains in limbo

Lazard’s new contract not only creates significant cap savings for the Jets, but it also makes his salary much easier to move, positioning him as a realistic trade chip as we approach the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Jets signed veterans Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson to join a wide receiver room featuring Garrett Wilson, Malachi Corley, and Xavier Gipson. The team is also heavily rumored to address the position group in this year's draft.

Despite his obvious flaws, Lazard is still a quality depth receiver who is suddenly on a very reasonable contract. Still, the new Jets regime might not see him as a fit for the current roster. This restructure gives them the flexibility to explore a trade option if they want to.

The most obvious destination would be the Pittsburgh Steelers, assuming they ultimately sign Aaron Rodgers. Lazard has not played an NFL season without Rodgers entering the year as his starting quarterback. Both sides would likely have interest in a reunion.

The Jets likely wouldn’t receive much in return for Lazard — perhaps a (possibly conditional) late Day 3 pick at best. That limited market could ultimately lead the team to keep him on the roster, at least for the time being.

Trading Lazard after June 1 would carry a dead cap hit of just $2.18 million in 2025, while the acquiring team would take on $2.43 million of his remaining salary.

Lazard’s pay cut gives the Jets options, but it doesn’t guarantee his future in New York. Whether they find a trade partner or keep him as depth, his status will remain worth monitoring. For now, he's still on the roster, but that could change before Week 1.

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