Allen Lazard's future with Jets looking bleak after latest insider reports

The NY Jets signed wide receiver Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract with the thought he would become a terrific possession receiver. After one horrid season in which Lazard was benched for poor performance, that free agent acquisition is already looking like one of the worst in Jets history.

Lazard caught just 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown last season. While going from Aaron Rodgers to Zach Wilson hurt his production, his issues with drops and struggles getting open are all on him. The Jets are doing everything they can to distance themselves from him.

After the Jets signed veteran deep threat Mike Williams and drafted slot standout Malachi Corley to occupy the WR3 role, Lazard will be competing with second-year speedster Xavier Gipson for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart. SNY's Connor Hughes has an even more pessimistic view of Lazard's status with the Jets.

The Jets, if they had to answer honestly, I believe would admit that signing Lazard was a mistake," Hughes said. "Lazard will be on the roster this year because no one wants to trade for him and the Jets can’t cut him. He’ll essentially be insurance in case something happens to the guys outside" That's...not a glowing review.

Allen Lazard may not have big role with NY Jets in 2024

Hughes mentions that Lazard's lack of special teams value will make him less valuable to the Jets than players like Irv Charles, Jason Brownlee, and Malik Taylor. The plan, barring a massive surge in play, will likely involve keeping Lazard on ice until Joe Douglas finds a way to get rid of his massive contract.

Robert Saleh has already hinted in the past that he isn't too keen about Lazard's status on the team, implying they had Lazard for the next "year-and-a-half" in the first season of a four-year contract. One year into the deal, Lazard is already an albatross.

Lazard optimists will likely point to the idea that there's no way a receiver who had some big games in big moments in Green Bay can be as bad as he was last season, especially with Rodgers coming back. That may be true, but the Jets' offseason moves show they have soured on him.

Lazard could have a role on a team that is willing to put up with his lapses in production, but the Jets seem to be all out of patience. His contract is quickly heading for Trumaine Johnson territory.