Jets will put WR Lazard on IR and plan to pick up K Patterson

Lazard is on a four-year, $44 million contract that included $22 million in guarantees at the time of signing. The Jets did a lot to appease Rodgers by adding three of his former Packers pass catchers (Lazard, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams).

Lazard was the first to arrive, after talking to his four-year Packers teammate about the topic playing together for the Jets. This coordinated action preceded Rodgers’ Achilles breaking four plays last season and Lazard hitting rock bottom, at one point going to a healthy zero and finishing with just 311 receiving yards.

This year, Lazard has already racked up 420 yards and five touchdowns. Receiving the most guaranteed money of any player in last year’s FA class, Lazard failed to justify his contract. However, he returned to being a useful player alongside Rodgers, ace as opposed to marginal sunk costs AND Zach Wilson-central crime. Lazard’s contract includes two non-guaranteed years.

That effort made Williams a trade item since the Jets’ pursuit of Adams starting seriously the intra-AFC transaction has been completed. Williams struggled mightily in New York, throwing for just 160 yards on 11 receptions in eight games.

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

Additionally, the Jets chose theirs Greg Zuerlein to fill in. Riley Patterson will be promoted during Thursday’s matchup against Texas, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Definitely more experienced with two kickers that Gang Green added to their practice squad (Spencer Shrader being the latter), Patterson will have another chance after being waived twice this year by the Jaguars and Commanders.

Patterson served as the Jaguars’ kicker for the entire 2022 season and was the Lions’ top pick for most of the 2023 season. However, the Lions cut Patterson for the second time and headed for the goal Michael Badgley in season. Patterson reached an agreement with the Jags on a reserve/futures deal, but was ultimately released at the team’s discretion Cam Little a sixth-round selection and then sailing out of Washington after an uncertain preseason.

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