Allen Lazard Takes Big Pay Cut to Stay with Jets

What They're Saying

ESPN's Rich Cimini on March 4: "The Jets have given permission to Lazard to seek a trade before the start of the new league year on March 12, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday. ... The likely outcome is that [Lazard and WR Davante Adams] will be released before free agency next week. The Jets are open to keeping Lazard, sources told Schefter, but that likely would require a huge pay cut."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

The Jets, of course, did release Adams ahead of the new league year. Dumping Lazard looks like it would have cost the team $8.3 million in dead cap.

It's not yet clear whether this new agreement lowers the chances of the team trading Lazard ... or increases them.

No team was going to acquire Lazard's previous $11 million price tag for 2025 -- with more due the following season. This new version looks much more palatable.

Recent buzz has seemed to have QB Aaron Rodgers getting close to signing with the Steelers. We'll see whether that happens and then whether a Lazard swap might follow.

If he does stick with the Jets, Lazard faces potential target opportunity.

Adams ranked fourth among all WRs in target share from his Week 7 Jets arrival on. The team also let TE Tyler Conklin -- fourth in targets last year -- walk in free agency. The biggest addition so far has been WR Josh Reynolds.

I'd sure bet on the Jets drafting at least one WR, but we'll see whether (and when) that happens.

It's also worth noting that a mere $1.75 million in guaranteed salary doesn't promise Lazard a significant role. He faces potential competition from 2024 rookie Malachi Corley and journeyman Tyler Johnson.