$44 Million Jets WR Sends Cryptic Message Amid Trade Rumors

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard has broken his silence on the viral trade rumors.

Lazard took to X previously Twitter and posted a GIF from the movie “Good Burger” of the character Ed, played by Kel Mitchell, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

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— Allen Lazard 👑 (@AllenLazard) May 7, 2025

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About an hour later, Lazard went back to social media to provide another clue. He posted a GIF from “The Wolf of Wall Street” featuring the character Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.

The GIF that Lazard posted is from the “Not Leaving” scene in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” which could be viewed as shutting down the trade rumors that went viral.

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— Allen Lazard 👑 (@AllenLazard) May 7, 2025

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NFL Insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said on Wednesday, May 7, that, “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, [New York] Jets receiver Allen Lazard is ‘in play’ to be traded to the Steelers.”

Social Media Reacts to the Lazard Cryptic Posts

“Lazard suggesting he’s not leaving NYJ…,” a fan posted on social media.

Lazard suggesting he’s not leaving NYJ… https://t.co/TWLVzOT8AH

— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) May 7, 2025

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“Killed those rumors. Thank you. Next,” another fan said.

“Lazard is bought in. Honestly love it, keep him,” a Jets fan account posted.

Lazard is bought in. Honestly love it, keep him. #JetUp https://t.co/zo0KyiLzIZ

— 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙅𝙚𝙩𝙨 (@HomeoftheJets1) May 7, 2025

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Several team insiders were left scratching their heads.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini responded to Lazard’s social media activity with a thinking emoji.

“Interesting timing…,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said in response to Lazard’s post.

Interesting timing… https://t.co/Dxq5Urx2Ut

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) May 7, 2025

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Lazard originally was scheduled to have two years remaining on the $44 million deal he inked with the Jets. However, this offseason, Lazard and the team re-worked his deal. The veteran wideout accepted an $8.5 million pay cut and now will get a chance to hit free agency in 2026 as opposed to 2027.

Jets Fans Have to Accept the Likely Fact That Lazard Is Sticking Around

All of the latest signs suggest Lazard isn’t going anywhere.

With that being the case, Lazard is very likely going to be one of the starting wideouts when we arrive at Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Garrett Wilson is guaranteed to hold down one of those spots, but the other two gigs are completely open to interpretation.

Lazard is a betting favorite to land one of those jobs based on his experience and skill set. The other will be a complete toss-up between Josh Reynolds, Malachi Corley, Tyler Johnson, and Arian Smith.

Lazard and Reynolds are very similar players: bigger, physical, and they both cut their teeth as run blockers.

The other three players are all younger upside considerations. Corley is a gadget player who has a stockier build. Smith is a speedster who had the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time at the 2025 NFL combine.

Johnson is a little bit of both. He isn’t nearly as big as Corley, weight-wise, but he isn’t as fast as Smith.