In recent years, a trend has emerged as to vested veterans (those with four or more years of service) who seek an opportunity to exit a non-playoff team for a shot at joining a contender. To get his release, the player waives his right to secure the balance of his salary, without offset, as termination pay.
Former Jets receiver Allen Lazard did not do that, per a source with knowledge of the situation.
It gives him the ability, if he chooses, to collect the remaining $291,667 of his $1.75 million base salary from the Jets, double dipping with whatever he gets from a new team. If, of course, the balance of his contract isn’t claimed on waivers.
The obvious speculation is that Lazard hopes to land with the Steelers and two-time former teammate Aaron Rodgers. That could prompt a competitor (like, you know, the Ravens) to claim Lazard in order to prevent Pittsburgh from getting him.
Of course, that would require the Ravens to devote a spot on the 53-man roster to Lazard, which would in turn necessitate a corresponding roster move. Unless there’s someone the Ravens can place on injured reserve or are otherwise willing to waive, there wouldn’t be a spot for Lazard. Still, if they want to keep the team they’ll quite possibly face in 18 days (or 17, if the game is moved to Saturday night) for the AFC North title, they’ll at least consider finding a way to make room for Lazard.
If Lazard clears waivers, he’ll be able to sign with any other team’s roster or practice squad. And it will open the door to a double dip, with $291,667 from the Jets and whatever he gets from the Steelers or wherever he may land.
Wide receiver Allen Lazard is officially a former member of the Jets.
PFT reported on Tuesday that Lazard asked for his release and the Jets announced the move a couple of hours later. Lazard will be subject to waivers and will become a free agent if he is unclaimed.
The Jets signed Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract before the 2023 season and hoped that he’d join former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers in providing a spark to their offense. That did not work out as the team hoped. Rodgers tore his Achilles a few plays into the season and moved on after a losing season in 2024 while Lazard had 70 catches for 911 yards and eight touchdowns in 36 games for the team.
It remains to be seen if the Steelers will have interest in another reunion with Rodgers or if Lazard’s next stop will see him catching passes from another quarterback.
The Jets also announced that they have signed linebacker Ochaun Mathis to the practice squad and released quarterback Adrian Martinez from that roster. Martinez backed up Brady Cook in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars and his departure could signal that Tyrod Taylor and/or Justin Fields will be healthy enough to suit up this week.
Another veteran receiver will soon be available for a reunion with Aaron Rodgers.
Or, in theory, any other team.
Allen Lazard has requested his release from the Jets, we’re told. And the Jets will be granting it.
Lazard first will be exposed to waivers. At a base salary of $1.75 million, the prorated value for the final three weeks will be $291,667. The team that successfully claims him, if any, will pick up that responsibility.
In 10 games this season, Lazard has caught 10 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. The Jets persuaded him to redo his contract and stick around for 2025, despite the departure of Rodgers. Now that it’s over for the Jets (and has been), Lazard gets a shot at a fresh start.
Lazard originally signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets in 2023, the same year Rodgers arrived. Whether Rodgers pushes for Lazard in Pittsburgh remains to be seen.
On Monday night, Rodgers connected with former Packers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling for 19-yard touchdown, in Valdes-Scantling’s second appearance and first catch with the Steelers.
As the Steelers make their final push for the playoffs, Rodgers may be more comfortable having receivers with whom he’s more familiar. Lazard is one of the players on that very short list.
After Sunday’s 48-20 loss to the Jaguars, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was asked if he had thought about taking over the team’s defensive play-calling and he said he brought defensive coordinator Steve Wilks “in for a reason and I want him to run his system.”
The team’s plans changed between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, however. Glenn announced on Monday that the Jets have relieved Wilks of his duties ahead of the final three games of the season.
Defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Chris Harris will take over the coordinator role on an interim basis and call the defensive plays over the next three weeks. Glenn said he will be assisting Harris in that role.
The Jets are 30th in points allowed this season and the decision to part ways with Wilks comes after the Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions on Sunday. They’ve forced just two turnovers by opposing offenses all season and finding a more successful approach will be one of the top things on a long to-do list for Glenn this offseason.
The Jets found themselves on the wrong end of a blowout for the second straight week in Jacksonville on Sunday.
The Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions and cruised to a 48-20 win that bolstered their bid for the AFC South title. It also sent the Jets to 3-11 in head coach Aaron Glenn’s first season and that led to questions for Glenn about what he hopes to get out of the final three weeks of a lost season.
Glenn said he will be “evaluating” the character of the team as they move into the offseason.
“Again, it’s not just about the Xs and Os, it’s about the character of this team, like which guy is going to lay it on the line and continue to play,” Glenn said, via a transcript from the team. “Which coach is going to lay it on the line and continue to make sure we put our players in the right position, make sure – how am I going to lay it on the line and make sure I can get us all moving in the right direction? Those are the things I talk to the players about, and they know that. This is a tough one. This is a tough one. But I know this: You can’t just sit back and just be like, okay – no, we’ve got three games. We’ve got three games to see exactly how we’re going to finish the season out, and that’s all I’m worried about right now.”
One area the Jets might try to improve on is their accountability. Zack Rosenblatt of TheAthletic.com noted that edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and linebacker Quincy Williams declined to speak to reporters about their role in the kind of dismal defensive performance that has defined the unit’s play all season.
