Jets Cut Allen Lazard, Signaling End of Rodgers Era

The New York Jets’ decision to release wide receiver Allen Lazard represents more than a routine roster move. It serves as a symbolic endpoint to an ambitious but ultimately unfulfilled era built around Aaron Rodgers. Once signed to help stabilize and elevate the offense, Lazard departs after three uneven seasons, leaving the Jets fully committed to a reset centered on youth, evaluation, and long-term flexibility.

A Contract That Never Matched the Production

Lazard arrived in New York in 2023 on a four-year, $44 million deal, a signing designed to entice Rodgers and replicate their chemistry from Green Bay. That vision never materialized. Rodgers’ Achilles injury derailed the initial plan, and even after the quarterback’s return, Lazard struggled to carve out a consistent role. Over three seasons with the Jets, he totaled just 70 receptions for 911 yards and eight touchdowns, far below expectations for a player with his salary and experience. His involvement dwindled further in 2025, when he logged only 250 offensive snaps and finished with 10 catches for 70 yards.

A Shrinking Role in a Changing Offense

By midseason, Lazard had fallen completely out of the rotation, becoming a healthy scratch in four games. Even injuries elsewhere on the depth chart, including Garrett Wilson’s knee issue, failed to open the door. Instead, the Jets leaned into younger receivers such as Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie III, and Isaiah Williams as part of a broader effort to evaluate developmental pieces during a 3–11 campaign. Lazard ultimately requested his release in hopes of joining a contender, and the Jets obliged with three games remaining.

The Final Tie to the Rodgers Experiment

Lazard’s exit effectively severs the last meaningful link to the Rodgers-led overhaul that once brought a wave of former Packers to New York. That group, which included Randall Cobb, Nathaniel Hackett, and later Davante Adams, has fully dispersed. Lazard even accepted an $8.75 million pay cut last offseason to remain with the team after Rodgers’ departure, but a new coaching staff and offensive direction under Aaron Glenn left little room for him. In total, Lazard earned $24 million during his Jets tenure, a figure that underscores how heavily the franchise invested in an experiment that never took hold.

What Comes Next for New York

The move also aligns with the Jets’ broader roster churn. Quarterback Adrian Martinez was released from the practice squad the same day, signaling potential returns for injured veterans Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor. For Lazard, the focus now shifts to finding a team that values his blocking ability and veteran presence. For the Jets, the message is clear: the past is officially in the rearview mirror, and whatever comes next will be built without the shadow of the Rodgers era hanging over the organization.

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