Insider explains why Allen Lazard is still with Jets after departure of Aaron Rodgers

Many assumed that wide receiver Allen Lazard and the New York Jets would be broken up by now considering the club parted ways with both fellow receiver Davante Adams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Lazard's former Green Bay Packers teammates, earlier in the offseason. 

On Sunday night, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio shared why Lazard may remain with the Jets through the 2025 NFL Draft.

"The Jets can’t designate Lazard as a post-June 1 cut, because they’ve already used their two per year on Rodgers and linebacker C.J. Mosley," Florio explained. "So the options are to trade him, cut him after June 1 (and split the salary-cap charge over two years) or cut him before June 1 (and take the full cap charge in 2025)."

Lazard reportedly was on a "wish list" of players submitted by Rodgers to the Jets in early 2023, and the former ultimately signed a four-year contract with Gang Green said to be worth up to $44M with $22M guaranteed. Rodgers then went down with a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into his first regular season with the organization, and Lazard ended that campaign with 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown. 

The hope last summer was that Rodgers' return to the lineup would result in Lazard having a bounce-back season. However, the 29-year-old missed time during the campaign because of a chest injury and was mostly viewed as an afterthought as the Jets went 5-12. 

Across 12 games, Lazard tallied 37 receptions for 530 yards and six scores. 

As of Monday morning, it felt as if Rodgers was hoping a Minnesota Vikings team that went 14-3 this past season would sign him to start over 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy this coming September. The New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers are potential fallback options for Rodgers if Minnesota turns to McCarthy.

"The most obvious guess is the Jets are waiting to see where quarterback Aaron Rodgers lands," Florio continued. "That team would become the most obvious candidate to trade for Lazard if Rodgers wants Lazard on the team and if the new team is willing to let Rodgers play quasi-G.M. (like the Jets were)."

Rodgers likely needs the Vikings more than they need him, and the Steelers may feel they don't have to trade for a weapon regardless of that player's working relationship with the future Hall of Famer. On paper, the Giants could use help on offense, but there was no indication as of Monday morning that Rodgers was in any rush to join the NFC East side that is coming off a 3-14 season. 

"The only question is whether the Jets will end up cutting him or getting a late-round pick from whichever team signs Rodgers — if that team is willing to take on the salary," Florio added about Lazard. "Even then, Rodgers’ new team might decide to wait until the Jets inevitably terminate Lazard’s contract."