Jets to place WR Lazard on IR, with plan to elevate K Patterson

Lazard is committed to a four-year deal worth $44 million, with $22 million guaranteed at signing. The Jets have done enough to appease Rodgers, adding three of his former Packers pass catchers (Lazard, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams).

Lazard was the first to arrive, after communicating about it with his four-year Packers teammate playing together for the Jets. That coordinated effort preceded Rodgers’ Achilles making four appearances last season, and Lazard hit rock bottom, drifting to healthy zero status at one point and finishing with just 311 receiving yards.

This year, Lazard has already racked up 420 yards and scored five touchdowns. Lazard received the most guaranteed money of any receiver in last year’s FA class and has not justified his contract. But he has become a useful player next to Rodgers again at a borderline sunk cost A Zach Wilson-centered offense. There are two non-guaranteed years remaining on Lazard’s deal.

Williams has become a trade chip with that effort since the Jets’ Adams pursuit start seriously intra-AFC trading is completed. Williams has struggled mightily in New York, racking up just 160 yards on 11 receptions in eight games.

Williams, 30, could still be moved. But with this Jets regime on thin ice, it would also make sense for the team to pat the receiver now to see if the former Chargers’ 1,000-yard weapon could be useful as a WR3 alongside Adams and Garrett Wilson. The Jets will set Williams again on Thursday and have until Tuesday to decide whether to move forward.

Plus, the Jets picked them Greg Zuerlein to fill in. Riley Patterson will be increased for Thursday’s Texans matchup, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. By far the more experienced of the Gang Green added two kickers to his practice squad (Spencer Shrader because he’s the other one), Patterson will get another chance after being waived twice this year – by the Jaguars and Commanders.

Patterson was the Jaguars’ kicker for the entire 2022 season and spent most of the ’23 roster for the Lions. However, the Lions cut off Patterson for the second time and turned to Michael Badgley in season. Patterson continued with the Jags on a reserve/futures deal but was ultimately waived – following the team’s lead. Cam little sixth-round selection — and then flushed out of Washington after a shaky preseason.

Patterson has played in 39 career games; he made 15 of 17 field goals last season. Zuerlein, who is on IR with a knee injury, is just 9-for-15 this year.