The alleged “bounceback” Jets player actually has the same old problems

He was one of the NFL's least efficient wide receivers in 2023 and was even benched late in the season. Now he appears to be one of the New York Jets' best bounceback players in 2024.

Or is it?

Wide receiver Allen Lazard, reuniting with his old friend Aaron Rodgers, has seen a resurgence in his performance through the first five weeks of the season. Here are some of his numbers and how they rank among wide receivers:

• 20 receptions (35th)
• 240 reception yards (39th)
• 4 touchdowns (3rd)
• 12 yards per reception (45th of 85 qualifying receivers)

Compare that to his final 2023 stats: 23 receptions, 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games.

Based on this jump, it appears Lazard has improved. But that's not really the case. Lazard performs even worse in the main area that made him so frustrating in 2023: drops.

According to Pro Football Focus, Lazard leads the NFL with six drops. His 23.1% drop rate is the worst among all receivers with at least 30 targets. Not only that, but it's significantly worse than its relegation rate of 17.9% last season, which already led the league.

Rodgers' return has boosted Lazard's opportunities and production, but Lazard remains a huge liability in the most important facet of the wide receiver position. The Jets paid the price for their Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, as Lazard was credited with three drops, each of which came at a big spot.

After watching the film, Lazard probably had four drops in a disastrous performance.

Lazard's four drops in Week 5

Lazard didn't lay out a specific route on this play, but he managed to turn his shoulder and prepare for the catch without much resistance from the cornerback. Rodgers puts it right on his hands and Lazard drops it. This proved to be a major turning point as the next play was Rodgers' pick-six. If Lazard had caught a routine pass, it never would have happened.

With less than a minute remaining in the first half, the Jets want to score their first points before time runs out. At the Minnesota 14-yard line, Rodgers hits Lazard in the chest on a slant route, and Lazard lets him jump in the air to possibly intercept it. Lazard made up for it two plays later with a touchdown reception, but was lucky not to result in a turnover.

For Jets fans, this sight is becoming too familiar. The Jets trailed 23-17 with 3:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rodgers targets Lazard on a go route and drops him into the bucket despite Lazard gaining a small lead, but Lazard fails to catch him again.

Lazard is well covered, but Rodgers places a perfect pass away from the defender that ends up in Lazard's hands. Although the catch is not easy, he is expected to accomplish it. The deficit forced the Jets to settle for a field goal, increasing the score to 17-10 when it could have been 17-14.

Lazard continues to hurt the Jets offense in key spots. While he has a good relationship with Rodgers, the Jets need to find ways to make him less of a fixture in the passing game. He's too crash-prone to be one of the Jets' primary targets. This is another reason to prioritize trading for another specific former teammate of Rodgers.