The Allen Lazard resurgence has been underway since the offseason, and fans finally got a glimpse of it during real game action against the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
Lifting the lid off his second season with the New York Jets, Lazard was tested on the opening possession and his response is proof of a renewed focus. The veteran wide receiver, who caught only 23 of 49 targets in 2023, dropped a third-down pass that hit him in the hands on Monday night. As opposed to moving the chains on what would have been Aaron Rodgers's first-ever completion as a Jet, Lazard sealed a season-opening three-and-out.
"I thought Allen had a really good game minus the first third down," said head coach Robert Saleh after the 32-19 loss.
Instead of folding, Lazard secured six of his next eight targets for a game-high 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns. With Rodgers slinging the rock, Lazard brought back visions of the 2021 Green Bay Packers. He caught eight touchdown passes over 15 games that year as Rodgers secured a second consecutive NFL MVP award.
His first touchdown on Monday was a 36-yard vintage beauty from Rodgers.
"We were able to get them to jump offsides, and that's kind of an Aaron Rodgers patented thing to be able to get the defense to jump offsides and take a free play. They left the middle of the field open so I went down the pipe. Aaron threw a great ball and I was able to catch it," said Lazard in a postgame interview with team reporter Caroline Hendershot.
In addition to the two scoring grabs, which double his touchdown total from last year, Lazard moved the chains on each of his other four receptions.
After signing a four-year contract worth $44 million with the New York Jets in 2023, Lazard had a highly forgettable first season in Green & White. He was a healthy scratch on three occasions and never made more than three catches in any of his 14 appearances.
With a seemingly renewed outlook along with the return of his longtime quarterback, Lazard is making a play to become the Jets' WR2. He brings an added dimension to the run game with his ability as a blocker and his size makes him an ideal redzone target.
Rodgers has suggested that Lazard has returned to his roots, doing the things that allowed him to make the Packers' roster as an undrafted rookie.
Rodgers is back and so apparently is the old Allen Lazard.
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• Jets make three 2023 draft picks inactive for season opener vs. 49ers
• Jets add former Packers' center, Dolphins' linebacker to active roster
• Head coach confident in Jets' pass rush, unfazed by star DE holdout
