After releasing wide receiver Davante Adams, the New York Jets are granting Allen Lazard permission to seek a trade this offseason. First reported by ESPN, the Jets are making moves to trim their roster as they will probably build a new culture. Many could assume if no one winds up making a trade offer for Lazard, the team will be releasing him in the coming days before free agency. Originally selected as an undrafted rookie free agent, the Iowa State product was brought in at the same time Aaron Rodgers signed a contract with the Jets.
However, Lazards’ acquisition was due to ties with Rodgers in an attempt to give him a receiver he knows. Despite that, things didn’t work out that way. Lazard previously made some promising strides with the Packers prior to joining the Jets, recording decent numbers but was Rodgers’ favorite consistent target. Since the Rodgers experiment is over with, it makes sense why the Jets are trying to move on. Lazard has two years left on his four-year contract but the team is surprisingly open to keeping him in the fold.
The wide receiver probably won’t find a trade partner in time but these five teams could sign him on a bargain.
Jets Grant 2,900-Yard Playmaker Allen Lazard Permission To Seek Trade
Next Possible Teams
New Orleans Saints
The Saints don’t have the financial landscape to afford the best available wide receiver in free agency. However, Derek Carr returning only means he won’t succeed in the final year of his contract if he doesn’t have a new receiver. Perhaps, Lazard could have a better season with a new scenery, especially with the Saints considering the success that Marquez Valdes-Scantling. These two wideouts aren’t far from each other in terms of talent but it gives Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed some stability in the receiving department.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City finds themselves in the same situation but they have some type of money to spend. DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown are free agents so this means the team will sign one or the other to a new deal. Lazard a cost-effective option they could sign at a bargain even if he’s a WR4 behind receivers like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
Baltimore Ravens
Since Nelson Agholor is a free agent, many should expect the Ravens to sign another veteran to give the passing department some relief. The wide receiver position was an issue either way in the fold and if salary cap issues remain a concern, they may have to resort to signing Lazard on a one-year deal. He won’t be on the same level as Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman but it gives them some type of reliability as an emerging third option until they decide whether or not they sign a big-time pass catcher.
Los Angeles Chargers
Any new wide receiver coming in could help quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers have yet to find any consistent wideout that’s not named Ladd McConkey. Quentin Johnston is depleting and Joshua Palmer is a free agent so this means Lazard is in the best position if he signs with the Chargers as an emerging No. 2 option.
Dallas Cowboys
The same case can be said about the Dallas Cowboys. They have an interest in Cooper Kupp but the team will probably wait for the Rams to release him. Meanwhile, they need any receiver to replace Brandin Cooks to give CeeDee Lamb relief.
The post Breaking: Jets Grant 2,900-Yard Playmaker Permission To Seek Trade appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.