Who Is Allen Lazard?

Allen Lazard is an NFL wide receiver who went from undrafted free agent to reliable target in offenses led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he found his footing with the Green Bay Packers, where his size, blocking and timing made him a trusted option in the passing game.

His performance in Green Bay, highlighted by a career-best season with 60 receptions and nearly 800 receiving yards, set the stage for a significant free-agent contract with the New York Jets. That deal reflected league-wide belief that Lazard could be more than a role player, serving as both a security blanket for Rodgers and a physical presence on the perimeter.

Why the Jets Are Releasing Allen Lazard

Reports from an Associated Press source indicate that the New York Jets are releasing Allen Lazard after his role in the offense shrank dramatically, despite the unit’s broader struggles to generate production.[1][2] With only a small number of catches and limited yardage this season, he spent much of the year low on the depth chart while other receivers moved ahead of him.[1][2]

Lazard originally joined the Jets on a four-year, $44 million contract in 2023, a move closely tied to the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.[1][2] Rodgers’ early injury that season and subsequent coaching and schematic changes kept the offense in flux, and even after a modest rebound in Lazard’s numbers the following year, he never reached the impact level the team envisioned when he signed.

Impact of the Move and Lazard’s Future

From the Jets’ perspective, releasing Lazard clears a path for younger receivers who have recently earned larger roles, including players acquired around the trade deadline.[1][2] It also reflects a philosophical shift toward a different offensive identity under a new coordinator, one that did not feature Lazard’s skill set as prominently as previous systems.

For Lazard, the release is both a setback and an opportunity. He is now able to sign with another team before the end of the regular season, positioning himself as a midseason addition for a franchise in need of a physical, experienced wideout.[1][2] His track record as a blocker and complementary receiver suggests he can still provide value in the right scheme, even if his time as a marquee free-agent signing in New York is over.