The Jets’ receiver room will look very different in 2025 following a disappointing 5-12 record last season.
Gang Green will officially release Davante Adams, according to a source. The team is also preparing to move on from Allen Lazard after two seasons.
Over the weekend, the Jets gave Adams permission to speak with other clubs, according to NFL Network. They also have allowed Lazard to seek a trade, according to sources. On Tuesday, ESPN first reported that the Jets had given Lazard permission to seek a trade before the start of the new league year, which begins on March 12.
After the Jets announced they would release Aaron Rodgers after two seasons, it is no surprise they would move on from Adams and Lazard. Adams’ base salary for the 2025 season was scheduled to be $35.6 million, with zero guaranteed money remaining after he was traded from the Raiders to the Jets on Oct. 15. Lazard would have made $11 million — also with no guaranteed money remaining — on a four-year, $44 million contract he signed in 2023.
Gang Green is open to keeping Lazard, according to ESPN, but that would likely require him to agree to a restructured contract.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey was asked about Adams and Lazard last week during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He was non-commital about each player returning next season.
“Davante is on the team right now,” Mougey said. “Obviously, we have a plan there, and in the next few weeks, we will kind of address that issue, but Davante is on the team.
“I am well aware of their contract situations and those are things we will address in the coming weeks.”
In 2023, ahead of acquiring Rodgers in a trade with the Packers, the Jets did everything to appease the four-time NFL MVP. They added Lazard, 29, to give Rodgers a familiar face to throw to after they played five seasons together in Green Bay.
The Jets also signed Randall Cobb, another former Packers receiver. But he retired following the 2023 season, in which the Jets finished 7-10 after Rodgers tore his Achilles.
In two seasons, Lazard struggled to produce and stay on the field. In 26 games with the Jets, Lazard registered 60 catches for 841 yards and seven touchdowns.
In his first season with the team, Lazard was benched and inactive for the year’s final game. He returned and caught six touchdown passes in 12 games in 2024. However, Lazard missed time and was put on injured reserve following a chest injury.
In hopes of improving their team after a 2-4 start and after firing coach Robert Saleh, the Jets acquired Adams, 32, in a trade with the Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick. Just like during their eight seasons with the Packers (2014-21), Adams became Rodgers’ favorite target, which appeared to frustrate Garrett Wilson at times when he was open down the field.
In 11 games for the Jets, Adams caught 67 receptions for 854 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished the year with 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns.
Assuming they also release Lazard, they would gain a savings of $36.5 million to spend in free agency, but the Jets’ receiver room will be inexperienced.
After Wilson, the Jets have Malachi Corley, who they drafted in the third round last year, and Xavier Gipson, who has been primarily used as a kickoff and punt returner during his two seasons in the league.
