The New York Jets are releasing veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard at his request, per multiple reports on Tuesday.
It brings an end to one of the more disappointing free agency signings in recent team history. The 30-year-old pass-catcher followed his old Green Bay Packers teammate, Aaron Rodgers, to MetLife Stadium, where he signed a four-year, $44 million contract with Gang Green. If he clears waivers, he will become a free agent.
In 36 games, Lazard recorded just 70 catches for 911 yards and eight touchdowns. He has been irrelevant this season with Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook under center, recording 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown across 10 games.
With the Jets sitting at 3-11, the two parties finally decided to cut their losses and move on.
Rumors will naturally arise about Lazard, who re-did his contract this season to stay with the Jets after Rodgers was shown the door by Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn, rejoining his old battery mate with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers, the Hall-of-Famer who failed to turn the franchise’s fortunes around in his two seasons in the Meadowlands, is currently leading the Steelers to the AFC South lead with an 8-6 record.
The 42-year-old still has plenty of pull, as he has already reunited with one of his ex-Packers teammates, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, in Pittsburgh. In what was his first appearance with the Steelers on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, Valdes-Scantling hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers.
