The New York Jets signed Allen Lazard to a four-year contract reportedly worth $44 million in 2023.
After one disastrous season in which the wide receiver was a healthy gameday scratch on multiple occasions, at least one NFL writer suggests the Jets should send Lazard packing.
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Writing for USA Today's For The Win, Cory Woodroof identified 10 potential training camp trade candidates and listed Lazard in between Carolina Panthers' running back Miles Sanders and Denver Broncos' wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Woodroof claims a trade would create $10 million in salary cap space for New York to spend elsewhere, suggesting the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles as potential trade partners.
From 10 NFL trade candidates during training camp after Brandon Aiyuk requested out:
" ... With only about $6 million in cap space, that might make a player like Lazard expendable in what will be a crucial season for the Jets. While he joined Rodgers in the 2023 offseason, he’s probably not going to start for the franchise this fall. Trading Lazard for a late-round pick would net New York $10 million in cap space, which could easily go to good use to add talent elsewhere on the roster."
Although the Jets may want to unload Lazard, it likely won't be easy to a find team that values him at his current salary. The 28-year-old was a complete dud after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1. The highly-paid Lazard caught only 23 of 49 receiving targets over a 14-game sample. He scored one touchdown.
Even Lazard's best season doesn't stack up to WR1 standards. With Rodgers as his quarterback in 2022, he led the Green Bay Packers with 788 receiving yards on 60 catches.
Although a trade sounds nice, in all likelihood, Lazard isn't going anywhere this year and he still may prove valuable to the Jets. There is always the possibility that Rodgers's return elevated Lazard's performance. At the least, he's insurance for WR2 Mike Williams, who is coming off an ACL tear.
