INDIANAPOLIS — Now that the Jets have announced they will move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, many are wondering about the status of two of his favorite receivers.
Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, who came to the Jets in part because of Rodgers, remain on the roster with two weeks before the start of free agency, which will be on March 12.
With their exits likely looming, Jets general manager Darren Mougey says a decision will be made soon.
“Davante [Adams] is on the team right now. 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.”
Mougey also echoed those same sentiments about Lazard’s status when he was asked.
“I am well aware of their contract situations and those are things we will address in the coming weeks,” Mougey said.
The Jets traded a third-round pick to the Raiders for Adams last October, hoping he would spark the team after a 2-4 start. But Gang Green finished a disappointing 5-12 and failed to make the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season.
Following the end of the 2024 season, Adams, 32, told reporters that his future with the Jets would depend on what happens with Rodgers. Although he is technically under contract for two more seasons, he has a salary cap charge of $38.3 million, and none of the money is guaranteed.
The only way Adams could remain on the Jets roster is if he reworked his contract, but that seems unlikely.
After registering 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns, Adams probably would like to head to free agency now that the Jets have a new regime in Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn.
The Jets would add $29.9 million in salary cap space by releasing Adams.
Although he was productive, the Lazard signing was an unmitigated disaster. In 26 games, he had 60 receptions for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons.
In 2023, Lazard, 29, signed a four-year, $44 million contract. Considering he has no remaining guaranteed money on his contract and a $13.2 million salary cap number, Lazard will likely be one of the cap casualty.