NFL insider hypes Jets veteran for bounce-back season

Much has been made throughout the first half of 2024 about how veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard endured a rough first season with the New York Jets, so much so that some wondered in June if he could find himself on the chopping block by mid-August even though given his close relationship with starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Lazard is seemingly on solid ground heading into the Jets' regular-season opener at the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9, though, after he impressing coaches with his work this offseason.

"H e battled knee and shoulder injuries last year, and that pushed his career, at 28 years old, to a bit of crossroads, " NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared about Lazard in a piece published Wednesday. " He’s responded with a real sense of urgency, grinding away with receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, almost as if to prove he’s a lot more than just Rodgers' buddy. "

Lazard played alongside Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers from 2018 through the 2022 season and the wideout reportedly was on a " wish list " of players submitted by Rodgers to the Jets before the receiver signed a four-year contract with the club last March. The contract is reportedly worth up to $44M with $22M guaranteed.

As with so many members of the New York offense, though, Lazard struggled last season after Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the team's Week 1 matchup. Across 14 games, the former Iowa State standout recorded 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown.

Lazard, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and head coach Robert Saleh all received clean slates with a healthy Rodgers running the Jets offense for the second straight summer. Taking full advantage of the fresh start may not be enough for Lazard to emerge as a dynamic play-maker with the Jets, but he could help others build chemistry with Rodgers both before and during the upcoming campaign.

" H e’s been like a coach in the room for the younger receivers, given his experience from his time with the Packers, " Breer added about Lazard. " So he’s squarely in the mix with rookie Malachi Corley, a rugged run-after-catch guy who’ll make some splash plays, and veteran Mike Williams, who is getting healthy again. "

With star receiver Garrett Wilson attracting heavy attention from opposing defenses, Lazard theoretically should receive plenty of opportunities this fall to show he is not past his prime. Breer wrote that Lazard "made some waves this summer" with his performances, but it remains to be seen if that trend will continue when the games begin to matter.