The New York Jets made a pair of roster moves on Monday, officially parting ways with wide receiver Allen Lazard and quarterback Adrian Martinez. The team also added linebacker Ochaun Mathis to the practice squad.
Lazard's release marks the end of what was expected to be a productive pairing between the veteran wideout and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Brought in with hopes of rekindling their Green Bay chemistry, Lazard never quite found his footing in New York. Now, the Jets are moving on, reshaping a wide receiver room that’s been searching for consistency all season.
As for Martinez, his time with the Jets was brief but part of a winding football journey that’s taken him across multiple leagues. After a college career that began at Nebraska and wrapped up at Kansas State, Martinez went undrafted but signed with the Detroit Lions in 2023.
He didn’t make it through camp, but found new life with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, where he didn’t just play-he dominated. Martinez led the Stallions to a championship and was named league MVP, an impressive feat that helped him earn another NFL opportunity.
The Jets brought him in ahead of the 2024 season, but he didn’t make the final 53-man roster. He did land on the practice squad and bounced between teams, including a stint with the 49ers, where he saw limited action-appearing in one game and completing a single pass for negative yardage.
Now released again, Martinez will be looking for his next opportunity, while the Jets continue to shuffle their depth chart in search of answers during a season that’s been anything but stable under center.
Meanwhile, the addition of Ochaun Mathis to the practice squad gives the Jets another developmental piece on defense. Mathis, a former standout at both TCU and Nebraska, brings length and athleticism off the edge-tools that could be valuable if he earns a call-up.
The Jets’ latest moves reflect a team still trying to find the right mix, both on the field and in the locker room. With the season winding down, the front office is clearly looking ahead, evaluating who fits into the long-term picture and who doesn’t.