The Allen Lazard era in New York is officially over. According to multiple reports, the Jets have released the veteran wide receiver after he requested his release. Now, all eyes turn to Pittsburgh - a team that’s been linked to Lazard more than once in recent years - as a potential next stop.
Lazard’s connection to the Steelers isn’t just smoke. There’s been mutual interest before, but a deal never materialized.
Pittsburgh already dipped into the Aaron Rodgers receiver tree once by signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and adding Lazard would be a logical continuation of that trend. The familiarity with Rodgers’ system - and his trust - doesn’t hurt either.
This season, Lazard’s impact has been minimal. He’s logged just 10 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown while spending most of the year buried on the depth chart.
Without Rodgers under center, the chemistry that once made him a reliable target in Green Bay didn’t translate in New York. Lazard stayed with the Jets hoping to prove he could thrive regardless of the quarterback - but that opportunity never fully materialized.
In Pittsburgh, the path to playing time isn’t exactly wide open either. The Steelers currently have seven wideouts on the active roster, and over the last two games, they’ve begun to settle into a new rotation that’s starting to click. So if Lazard were to land there, it likely wouldn’t be a plug-and-play situation.
More realistically, Lazard could be brought in via the practice squad, giving him time to get up to speed and re-acclimate to the offensive system - especially if Rodgers is involved in any capacity. From there, if he proves he’s still got something to offer, a promotion to the active roster could follow.
For now, Lazard’s next chapter is unwritten. But given the history, the scheme familiarity, and the Steelers’ recent moves, it’s a situation worth watching closely.