The New York Jets are hopeful that the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will bring them the success that they envisioned when they first traded for him before the 2023 NFL Draft. After acquiring the four-time NFL MVP from the Green Bay Packers, many believed that the Jets could compete for a Super Bowl last season. The aura surrounding the team last offseason and during training camp was one that they had not experienced in a very long time.
Unfortunately, the high expectations and hopeful visions of a return to the postseason for the first time since 2010 evaporated when Rodgers tore his Achilles after just four offensive snaps in Week One. Without the future Hall of Fame quarterback, New York finished 7-10 for the second year in a row.
Their disappointing season highlighted the holes on the roster that they had not addressed, and general manager Joe Douglas spent this offseason building a better roster around his star quarterback.
The New York Jets Spent the Offseason Building Around Aaron Rodgers
With Rodgers’ injury, it was evident from the onset of the 2023 season that the Jets did not have a good offensive line. Zach Wilson, who started the majority of New York’s games after Rodgers went down, was sacked 46 times last season, which was the third-highest total in the NFL.
To ensure that their 40-year-old quarterback would be protected, the Jets went out and signed eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith. They also used their first-round pick on Olu Fashanu to provide quality depth, youth, and a bright future on the offensive line.
Additionally, New York signed free agent wide receiver Mike Williams, who is coming off of a torn ACL in 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers. In 2022, the season before he got hurt, Williams had 63 receptions for 895 yards and four touchdowns. The year prior, he had the best season of his career, hauling in 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
As good as New York’s additions have been (on paper) this offseason, they will still be relying on some of their players from last season having bounce-back seasons. One of these players is wide receiver Allen Lazard, who has been performing well so far in training camp.
New York Jets Wide Receiver Allen Lazard Seems to Be Benefiting from Aaron Rodgers’ Return
Prior to trading for Rodgers in 2023, the Jets went out and signed a few of his favorites to help convince the future Hall of Famer to agree to be traded to them. One of these additions was Lazard, who had 60 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, both his and Rodgers’ final season in Green Bay.
Without Rodgers under center last year, though, Lazard struggled. He ended up posting the worst full season of his NFL career, racking up just 23 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.Ezoic
The only year in which he had lower numbers was his rookie season, in which he played just one game and caught one pass for seven yards.
His poor 2023 season had many labeling him a bust who was only returning to the team because he was too expensive to cut. However, early reports from training camp reveal that Lazard is looking much better with his old quarterback on the field.
Brian Costello of the New York Post recently wrote (via Sports Illustrated):
“The Jets believe they still can get something positive out of Lazard this season. They hope a reunion with Aaron Rodgers will be enough to spark something that was missing last year. So far in training camp, Lazard has looked good. Other than a drop that led to an interception on Monday, Lazard has been making big catches and has a few touchdowns.”
The contract that Lazard signed with New York last year was a four-year deal worth $44 million. He does not have any guaranteed money left on his deal after this season and could easily be cut after the year if he fails to bounce back.
He wants to ensure that will not happen, and so far his connection and past with Rodgers is paying off in training camp.
Whether it will continue to do so in the regular season remains to be seen.
