Jets’ Wide Receiver Allen Lazard Inactive for Game Against Dolphins

By Brian Costello | Published Nov. 24, 2023, Updated Nov. 24, 2023, 2:17 p.m. ET

Zach Wilson was not the only Jets offensive player benched this week. Wide receiver Allen Lazard was inactive for Friday’s game against the Dolphins, a stunner considering the Jets gave him a four-year, $44 million contract this offseason. Lazard received $22 million guaranteed in that deal, the most guaranteed money given to any free agent wide receiver this offseason.

Lazard has struggled to make an impact in his first season in New York, with just 20 receptions for 290 yards and a touchdown in 10 starts, along with five dropped passes.

When Jets coach Robert Saleh addressed the situation after the game, he referenced Lazard only being a Jet for another year and a half, even though Lazard has three years remaining on his contract after this year.

“There’s things we all need to get better at, including him,” Saleh said. “He’s going to be here for the next year and a half. He’s going to be a part of this. Just want to make sure one, I wanted to give some of the young guys an opportunity to play and two, it’s kind of a challenge to see if he can recapture the edge and who he is and the person we have a lot of faith in. He’s a good football player. I do believe that.”

The Jets signed Lazard in March as part of their push to land quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was also a driving force behind signing Lazard.

Maybe things would have been different for Lazard if Rodgers had not torn his left Achilles tendon four snaps into the season. But with no Rodgers, Lazard has been a non-factor in a Jets offense that has scored just nine touchdowns in 10 games.

Lazard, who turns 28 next month, is not going anywhere, as it would be an $18.7 million dead money charge to the salary cap to release him after this season.

The Jets also had LT Mekhi Becton (ankle) inactive and CB Michael Carter II (hamstring). OT Duane Brown was activated off of IR on Thursday but did not play offense in Friday’s game, playing special teams instead. Saleh said Brown could play offense next week.