Here are three potential trade destinations for $44 million New York Jets wide receiver, Allen Lazard for this free agency. According to The Athletic, Lazard will be available in trade talks this offseason so there’s a chance he won’t be a Jet next season. However, they’re not in any rush to part ways with the pass catcher. Sources say that his name is coming up in trade talks, but they’re not actively trying to deal him.
If it is time for him to move on, he didn’t put on an illustrious career with the Jets. The six-year veteran caught just 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown in just one season with the team. Lazard was brought in to help Aaron Rodgers gain familiarity with his slot receivers as the duo spent five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He notched 169 passes for 2236 yards and 20 touchdowns in that span.
New York signed Lazard to a four-year deal worth $44 million with $22 million guaranteed a year ago. He’s due for $10 million, but the Jets could save $3.4 million by trading him. There are arguments that he may be the biggest free agency bust since landing with the Jets last year. They just gave him a massive contract, but now moving on from him in less than a year is never good news for a team.
There were huge expectations for Lazard but it came crumbling since Rodgers suffered his season-ending injury. He didn’t have that chemistry catching passes from the quarterback that influenced him to go there in the first place. Lazard didn’t put up any big numbers as he set career lows in every major statistical category.
Three Potential Trade Destinations for $44 Million Receiver Allen Lazard
Baltimore Ravens
A possible destination would be playing under Lamar Jackson as they’re stacking their offensive roster after adding Derrick Henry as their new starting running back. The release of Odell Beckham Jr. puts the Ravens at a hole in their wideout position so they may consider Lazard. However, the Jets trying to move on from Lazard so quickly could be a red flag for many suitors like the Ravens. They may sign someone from the free agency like Marquez Valdes-Scantling who was recently let go from the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the Jets aren’t in any “rush” to move on from Lazard, the Ravens could consider him if they run out of options.
Dallas Cowboys
Here seems like a more likely destination for Lazard if they want to trade him anywhere. The Cowboys still have their WR3, Michael Gallup on the trade block after a disappointing 2023 season campaign. The Cowboys are one CeeDee Lamb injury from disaster on their offense so they may truly want to go “all in” on a receiver this offseason. They likely won’t find a trade partner for Gallup which may force Dallas to release him before his guarantee money kicks in.
Lazard and Gallup could swap if that’s what both the Jets and the Cowboys want to do. However, the Jets aren’t in any rush but the Cowboys are so this scenario seems unlikely. It’s leaning toward that Dallas may have a chance to sign Lazard if he becomes available as a free agent instead. He could transition smoothly behind Lamb as WR2 while Brandin Cooks focuses on a quick slant and short-pass plays.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints need all the weapons they can get in preparation for a new quarterback locker room. The team recently released wide receiver Michael Thomas after he failed his physical which designates him as a post-June 1 cut. New Orleans former backup, Jameis Winston is heading to the Cleveland Browns on a deal while they signed Nathan Peterman to make up for it. It doesn’t seem like a reliable backup for starter Derek Carr, but they would need to add weapons to surround him.
While it’s likely may add former Raider, Hunter Renfrow, they could just trade for Lazard to add a veteran presence.
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