Allen Lazard may return to Jets on restructured contract

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Don’t say goodbye to Allen Lazard simply but, Jets followers.

Common supervisor Darren Mougey mentioned Sunday that the group is making an attempt to work by a contract restructure with Lazard, who most individuals anticipated the group would minimize.

Mougey mentioned they’re “working by that” proper now when requested about Lazard.

When pressed what he meant, he mentioned they’re discussing a contract restructure.

Mougey mentioned they need Lazard to be on the group.

“That’s the hope,” Mougey mentioned. “We’ll work by that.”

Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets in 2023.

He has two years left on that deal that calls him to be paid $11 million this season and carry a $13.2 million wage cap quantity.

The Jets signed Lazard a month earlier than buying and selling for Aaron Rodgers in 2023, reuniting the 2 former Packers.

The Lazard transfer was seen as a part of the group’s effort to make Rodgers really feel snug with the Jets.

When the group moved on from Rodgers this offseason, the expectation was that Lazard wouldn’t be far behind him.

The group gave Lazard’s agent permission to hunt a commerce however nothing has developed.

Mougey mentioned any contract extensions would come after the NFL draft.

There’s an expectation that 2022 first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner will search extensions throughout this offseason, their first probability at doing so.

Alijah Vera-Tucker and Quincy Williams additionally may search for extensions getting into the ultimate years of their contracts.

“In regard to extensions basically, there’s been plenty of discuss that,” Mougey mentioned. “We have now a number of gamers whether or not it’s early extensions or simply gamers we will lengthen within the final yr. These are good issues to have. We’re having these discussions and people are good discussions to have however proper now my focus is on the draft. As soon as we get by the draft, we’ll discuss potential extensions for whoever that could be.”

Mougey mentioned Vera-Tucker will keep at guard however talked about his potential to play sort out as a plus.

He additionally mentioned free agent signee Josh Myers will “push” Joe Tippmann at heart.