Jets, Robert Saleh Impressed by Rejuvenated Allen Lazard

When Allen Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the New York Jets last season, the belief was that the organization had found a quality second receiver they could rely on behind Garrett Wilson.

Things didn't work out so well for both parties last year but have gotten to a good start in 2024.

Lazard struggled in his first season with New York with drops and a lack of separation. Things got so bad that he was a healthy scratch for different games throughout the 2023 season.

The former Green Bay Packer is off to a good start in 2024.

"I'm happy for him to get that off his back. I mean he's been in the League a while; he's been productive for a while...His mindset and where he is, is so much different than a year ago where last year that drop on the first third down probably would have caved his whole game, but he still grinded in the run game," Saleh said. "You can put him anywhere on the football field from an alignment standpoint, which just gives us great flexibility, and then for him to be able to produce in the pass game was awesome to see."

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Lazard caught six passes for 89 yards, and two touchdowns in the Jets' 32-19 loss to the 49ers on Monday night. It's the kind of game he rarely had the year prior and shows how improved he seems to be both mentally and physically in his second year in New York.