Allen Lazard inactive vs. Steelers in Jets surprise

Allen Lazard has tumbled down the Jets’ depth chart. 

The receiver is inactive for the team’s season opener against the Steelers Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Lazard was not on the injury report all week, so he is a healthy scratch. 

It comes as somewhat of a surprise, given how few known quantities the Jets have at receiver behind star Garrett Wilson. Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson (who was just elevated to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday) and rookie third-rounder Arian Smith comprise most of the unit outside of Wilson. 

Reynolds and Johnson were both low-cost free agent signings this offseason – Reynolds on a one-year, $2.75 million deal and Johnson on a one-year, $775,000 deal. Both have largely been depth pieces previously in their careers, not top-two receivers. 

But Lazard had a quiet summer while also battling a shoulder injury, failing to earn the WR2 job that was up for grabs for all of training camp.

And he struggled the past two seasons after signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets in March 2023 – he recorded a combined 60 receptions for 841 yards and seven touchdowns. 

He agreed to an $8.5 million pay cut in April, with his base salary for 2025 at $2.25 million, per Spotrac.

Lazard will become a free agent next year.

There is also a new Jets regime in place that did not bring Lazard in. Lazard was teammates and close with Aaron Rodgers on the Packers, which played a significant factor in the Jets signing him and providing Rodgers with a familiar weapon. But now, with Rodgers and the former regime gone, Lazard seems to be on the outside looking in. 

It means the Jets’ WR2 spot remains a major question mark.