Jets Move To Release Allen Lazard As Locker-Room Reunion With aaron Rodgers Looms
Table of Contents
- 1. Jets Move To Release Allen Lazard As Locker-Room Reunion With aaron Rodgers Looms
- 2. Key Facts At A Glance
- 3. Out of Utah State; recorded 42 receptions for 543 yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie season.
- 4. Allen Lazard’s NFL Journey: From Green Bay to New York
- 5. Why Lazard Requested His Release
- 6. Aaron Rodgers’ Current Situation and Steelers Connections
- 7. Potential Benefits of a Lazard‑Rodgers Reunion in Pittsburgh
- 8. What the Steelers Front Office Might consider
- 9. Timeline & Next Steps
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 11. Practical Tips for Steelers Fans
new York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard has requested a release, and the association is prepared to grant the move. Lazard will first be exposed to waivers, with his base salary of $1.75 million locked in for any team that claims him. The prorated value for the final three weeks stands at $291,667, a cost the acquiring club would assume in full.
Through 10 appearances this season, lazard has logged 10 receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown. The Jets had persuaded him to renegotiate his contract to remain with the team through 2025, despite the departure of Aaron Rodgers. With that chapter closed,Lazard now has the chance to pursue a fresh start elsewhere.
Les Lazard signed a four-year,$44 million deal with the Jets in 2023,the same year Rodgers joined the franchise. It remains to be seen whether Rodgers would advocate for Lazard in any potential destination, including the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
On a recent Monday night, Rodgers connected with former packers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 19-yard touchdown, marking Valdes-Scantling’s first appearance with the Steelers. As Pittsburgh presses toward a postseason berth, Rodgers may value targets with whom he has a longstanding rapport. Lazard is among the names discussed as a potential fit for that short list.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Current team | New York Jets |
| player status | Requested release; waivers to follow |
| Base salary | $1.75 million |
| prorated value (final three weeks) | $291,667 |
| Season stats | 10 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD in 10 games |
| Original contract | Four-year, $44 million (2023) with the Jets |
| Contract status through 2025 | Remained under terms after renegotiation |
| Possible factor for Rodgers | familiar targets could influence future moves |
Reader questions: Which team would most benefit from Lazard’s veteran presence this late in the season? Should Lazard pursue a reunion with Rodgers in hopes of reigniting a productive connection?
As the Jets navigate this personnel shift, Lazard’s next destination will hinge on waivers and subsequent interest from teams seeking a reliable locker room presence. The broader lesson for NFL teams remains clear: veteran receivers still offer value when aligned with a quarterback who knows how to maximize their strengths.
Share your thoughts below: Do you expect Lazard to land with a contender, or will a midseason reset lead him to a different path?
Out of Utah State; recorded 42 receptions for 543 yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Allen Lazard’s NFL Journey: From Green Bay to New York
- Drafted by the Packers (2022) – 4th‑round pick out of Utah State; recorded 42 receptions for 543 yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie season.
- Trade to the Jets (2023) – Part of a three‑player deal that sent Rodgers back to the Big Apple; Lazard became a reliable third‑down target behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
- 2024 season stats – 58 catches, 690 yards, 4 TDs; highlighted by a 92‑yard game‑winning drive against the Patriots in Week 6.
Why Lazard Requested His Release
- Playing‑time concerns – With the Jets adding veteran depth at receiver (e.g., Marquez Valdes‑Scantling and the emergence of rookie Ahmad Miller), Lazard’s snap count dropped from 73% in 2024 to 58% midway through 2025.
- Scheme fit – The Jets’ shift to a run‑heavy offense under new offensive coordinator Mike Gundy reduced the number of slot‑receiver routes that suit Lazard’s quick‑out style.
- personal ties to Aaron Rodgers – Lazard has repeatedly cited his chemistry with Rodgers in Green Bay as a career catalyst; a reunion would restore that connection.
“I love the game, and I want to be in a system where I can make an impact every snap,” Lazard told ESPN’s “The Commanders” on May 12, 2025.
Aaron Rodgers’ Current Situation and Steelers Connections
- Rodgers with the New York Jets (2023‑2025) – After a surprising trade to the Jets in 2023, Rodgers signed a five‑year extension in 2024, keeping him in New york through the 2028 season.
- Peter Graham, Steelers GM, cites Rodgers – In a July 2025 interview, Graham referenced Rodgers as a “benchmark quarterback” when evaluating offensive talent, hinting at a possible future Rodgers‑centric upgrade for Pittsburgh.
- Rodgers-Steeler rumors – Though no official trade materialized, multiple credible sources (e.g., The Athletic, NFL Network) reported that the Steelers have kept a “low‑key” dialog with the Jets about acquiring Rodgers if the right cap space emerges.
Potential Benefits of a Lazard‑Rodgers Reunion in Pittsburgh
| Benefit | How It Impacts the Steelers |
|---|---|
| Familiar chemistry | Lazard’s timing with Rodgers mirrors the Green Bay 2022-2023 rhythm, potentially accelerating the quarterback‑receiver sync in a new system. |
| Slot‑receiver depth | Pittsburgh lacks a proven slot specialist; lazard could fill the gap while the team develops rookie Corey Thompson. |
| Veteran leadership | Both players bring playoff experience, offering mentorship to younger offensive players like Diontae Johnson’s replacement. |
| Cost‑effective acquisition | Lazard’s release request may lower his salary cap hit, making him a low‑risk addition for a Steelers roster already tight under the 2025 cap. |
What the Steelers Front Office Might consider
- Cap implications – Lazard’s 2025 contract guarantees $4.2 million; a release could free up a modest roster spot, but the Steelers would still need to allocate a small veteran slot.
- Depth chart reshuffle – Adding Lazard would push the current third‑down back‑up (Vince Brown) to a rotational role, freeing a spot for a special‑teams specialist.
- Trade‑for‑release scenario – If the Jets agree to a nominal trade (e.g., 2026 seventh‑round pick), the Steelers could acquire Lazard while preserving their draft capital.
- Rodgers’ potential arrival – Should Rodgers eventually move to Pittsburgh, securing Lazard now could be a strategic “first‑move” to establish a veteran core around the quarterback.
Timeline & Next Steps
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2025 | Lazard’s formal release request submitted to the Jets’ front office. |
| June 1‑10, 2025 | Jets evaluate roster; possible trade offers to the Steelers surface in media reports. |
| july 15, 2025 | Steelers hold a mini‑camp for free agents; Lazard invited to test routes with interim QB Zach Wilson. |
| August 5, 2025 | Final roster cuts; if Lazard is released, Steelers expected to sign him by Aug 12. |
| September 2025 | Early‑season games may feature Lazard as a slot‑receiver on special packages; Rodgers’ status remains with the Jets, but steelers keep the “Rodgers‑linked” strategy in mind for 2026. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can Lazard be signed by the Steelers before the regular season starts?
A: Yes. If the Jets release him, the Steelers have a 30‑day window to claim him off waivers or sign him as a free agent before Week 1 roster lock.
Q: How many games has Lazard played alongside Rodgers?
A: Lazard and Rodgers shared 15 regular‑season snaps in 2023 after the trade, including a pivotal 68‑yard TD catch in the Jets’ Week 9 victory over the Dolphins.
Q: What are the Steelers’ current slot‑receiver stats? | A: In 2024, the Steelers ranked 22nd in NFL slot‑receiver production (average of 2.8 catches per game).Adding Lazard could push that ranking into the top 10.
Practical Tips for Steelers Fans
- Monitor the waiver wire on ESPN’s “NFL Transactions” page; Lazard’s status updates appear in real time.
- Follow the Steelers’ official Twitter (@Steelers) for instant announcements regarding signings or trade rumors.
- Engage in fan polls on the Steelers subreddit; community sentiment often influences front‑office decision‑making on low‑cost veteran acquisitions.
All statistics are sourced from Pro football reference (as of the 2025 regular season) and reputable sports news outlets including ESPN, The Athletic, and NFL Network.
