There was plenty of optimism surrounding the NY Jets' offense entering the 2024 season. The return of Aaron Rodgers breathed new life into the struggling unit, and the hope was that a revamped offensive line and an improved supporting cast could ignite an offense that was arguably the worst in the NFL last year.
But while Rodgers, the offensive line, and new playmakers like Mike Williams and Braelon Allen have done their parts, a forgotten member of the roster has stepped up and been one of the team's most important offense players.
We're talking about Allen Lazard who enters the Sunday slate of Week 3 games tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns with three. Not only does Lazard lead the Jets in touchdowns but he's also just two yards behind Garrett Wilson for the team lead in receiving yards.
Lazard has been a revelation for the Jets this season, diversifying an offense that was previously too reliant on its stars, Wilson and Breece Hall. This renaissance has raised the ceiling of the Jets' offense and turned an expected weak spot into a possible position of strength.
Allen Lazard is proving to be the difference-maker in the NY Jets' offense
The Jets' offense was stagnant and predictable in 2023. The team's quarterback and offensive line issues ultimately tanked the unit, but their problems extended beyond Zach Wilson and a series of unfortunate injuries.
The Jets lacked any semblance of playmakers outside of their top two stars. There's a reason Hall finished fourth in the NFL in total scrimmage yards while Wilson finished fourth in targets. The Jets essentially had no one else.
That was somewhat the expectation again entering 2024. Sure, the Jets had high hopes for Williams who was signed to be the team's WR2, but he was coming off a torn ACL and was expected to be on a snap count to start the year.
Lazard has been the offense's saving grace in many ways. The former Green Bay Packers wideout has returned with a vengeance less than a year after he was benched on multiple occasions for the likes of Jason Brownlee and Irv Charles.
Lazard has hauled in 11 catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns over the first three weeks of the season, quickly re-establishing the chemistry he had with Rodgers in Green Bay. All of a sudden, Lazard feels like an indispensable part of the Jets' offense.
It's a stark contrast to the disaster of a season Lazard put on tape in 2023. The Iowa State product finished near the bottom in essentially every wide receiver metric and looked like a complete dud of a free-agent signing.
It got so bad that Jets head coach Robert Saleh publicly hinted at the team's desire to release him after the 2024 season once it became financially feasible. But Lazard has worked overtime to change that narrative.
In an offense that was stagnant and over-reliant on Wilson and Hall, Lazard has become an important safety blanket for Rodgers and the team's best red-zone threat. In essence, he's who they signed him to be.
The narrative around the Jets' offense has already begun to change, and that's largely due to Lazard changing his own narrative. This Jets offense has found new playmakers, and none more unexpected than the revived Allen Lazard.
