Jets’ surprising Week 1 decision could hint at a trade in the works

The New York Jets raised a few eyebrows before kickoff on Sunday with their surprising decision to make Allen Lazard inactive for their Week 1 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At first glance, it looked like little more than a performance-based decision, with practice squad elevation Tyler Johnson taking his place in the starting lineup, but the timing and context suggest there may be more to the story.

After all, this wasn’t just any season opener — it was Aaron Rodgers’ highly anticipated Steelers debut against his former team. By holding onto Lazard but keeping him off the field, the Jets may have prevented the veteran wideout from reuniting with Rodgers on Pittsburgh’s sideline right away.

That wrinkle only adds to the growing speculation that Lazard’s future in New York is increasingly uncertain. He’s already been at the center of trade rumors for months, and Sunday’s decision will only intensify those rumors.

Could the Jets be on the verge of an Allen Lazard trade?

The Jets originally signed Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract in the 2023 offseason. His time in New York has been marred by inconsistencies, drop issues, and multiple healthy scratches, with Sunday’s inactive serving as the latest sign that his role with the team is quickly evaporating.

The Jets reworked Lazard’s contract in the offseason rather than releasing him, which many expected to be the outcome. The team gave him every opportunity to carve out a role in the offense this summer, and while his performance was underwhelming, it appeared as though he had done just enough to stick around.

The coaching staff has spoken highly of his blocking ability, which was believed to be enough to earn a regular role in the offense. However, the team's decision to leave him as a healthy scratch proves otherwise.

It's clear the Jets don't believe Lazard is one of their top three wide receivers, and since he doesn't contribute on special teams, there isn't a role for him on the game-day roster.

The Jets will only be able to elevate Johnson two more times this season, which means a decision will have to be made in the near future. It seems likely that Lazard would be the odd man out in the event the Jets promote Johnson to the active roster full-time.

Now, the Jets could cut Lazard outright, but doing so would offer little in the way of cap relief. A trade, on the other hand, would free up more than $2 million in savings, and with Rodgers in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have always loomed as the most obvious landing spot.

It's very possible the Jets always intended for this to be the plan. Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, and Tyler Johnson as the starting wide receivers, Arian Smith as the situational deep threat, and Xavier Gipson (begrudgingly) as the punt returner.

The Jets knew that if they parted ways with Lazard before Week 1, he’d likely land in Pittsburgh and immediately provide Rodgers and the Steelers with valuable intel on their offense. By holding onto him through the opener, New York ensured that wouldn’t happen.

It may not guarantee Lazard’s departure, but the decision to make him inactive in Week 1 is a clear sign he no longer fits into the Jets’ plans. The writing appears to be on the wall.

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