The New York Jets are moving on without Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, and most assumed that Allen Lazard would also depart via trade or release. A former undrafted free agent, the Iowa State product originally made a name for himself with the Green Bay Packers and followed Rodgers to the Jets in 2023. Signed as a free agent, Lazard never lived up to his sizable contract and finished the 2024 season with just 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns.
With a new head coach in Aaron Glenn and quarterback in Justin Fields, Lazard is the last of Aaron Rodgers’ friends remaining in the Big Apple. However, while most expect a trade, General Manager Darren Mougey said the team wants to keep Allen Lazard on the team. However, this could be a partial truth, as New York is trying to restructure Lazard’s contract. If they can’t come to a revised deal, the player and team could part ways.
Chances are, Mougey’s comments were nothing more than a last-ditch effort to try and generate interest in an Allen Lazard trade. While nobody will be interested in his current contract, any one of the following five teams could acquire the receiver if New York eats a portion of the guaranteed money.
Jets GM Speaks on Potential Allen Lazard Trade
Potential Destinations
Pittsburgh Steelers
Being friends with Aaron Rodgers is one of the most financially wise business decisions one could make. While Rodgers isn’t officially a Steeler as of this posting, all signs point towards an eventual pairing. Rodgers is the best free agent remaining, and Pittsburgh can’t enter the season with Mason Rudolph as QB1. Pittsburgh has two starting-caliber receivers in DK Metcalf in George Pickens, but the two have similar skillsets and Pickens may be wearing out his welcome with Mike Tomlin’s club. Perhaps the Jets and Steelers could agree to trade George Pickens to the Jets for Allen Lazard and a draft pick.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have some semblance of financial liberty and could use their newfound savings to bolster their wide receiver room. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are a fine duo on paper, but Olave’s concussions and overall dissatisfaction with the team could lead to problems. This organization needs another weapon in case something happens with Olave, and Allen Lazard could be an intriguing trade candidate. Given head coach Aaron Glenn’s ties to New Orleans, perhaps the two sides can work out a deal.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers spent big in free agency but still have one of the league’s weakest wide receiver rooms. Second-year pro Ladd McConkey looks like the real deal, but he can’t be the entire passing offense. Allen Lazard is an adequate receiver, but there’s another reason the Chargers could seek a trade. Head coach Jim Harbaugh loves running the football, and Lazard is one of the league’s best run blockers at the wide receiver position. If anyone will get the most out of his skillset, it’s the Chargers and the rebuild running attack.
Main Photo: Kevin R. Wexler – Imagn Images
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