Allen Lazard Should be Among Easier Decisions for Packers
There are many difficult financial and personnel decisions for the Green Bay Packers to make this offseason, but Allen Lazard's future should be one of the easier ones.
By Paul_Bretl
Given the Green Bay Packers salary cap situation, there will be many cap-saving moves made this offseason--Brian Gutekunst even eluded to that on Wednesday during his press conference.
However, in addition to navigating the salary cap and working their way under, the Packers also have 23 total free agents that they need to make decisions on as well. This includes eight exclusive-rights free agents -- I would expect each of them to return -- 14 unrestricted free agents -- a number of which will be playing elsewhere -- and one restricted free agent.
The Packers have a number of avenues they can take to get under the salary cap, but how they will get there remains an unknown. And who knows which of their free agents they will prioritize and be able to retain. But amidst all of the uncertainty this offseason, one of the easier decisions Brian Gutekunst should have to make is re-signing restricted free agent Allen Lazard.
For those wondering, a restricted free agent is a player with three years of accrued NFL experience. Although that player can negotiate with other teams, the original team can place one of four different tenders on that player, and each tender comes with a specific contract value for the upcoming season if no competing offers are made. These values change each year and are non-negotiable.
For example, the Green Bay Packers placed a second-round tender on Robert Tonyan last offseason following his incredibly efficient 2020 season, where he caught 88% of his passes and 11 touchdowns.
No offers from opposing teams were made, but if they were, Green Bay would have either been able to match the offer and keep Tonyan, or let him go to the new team. In return, the Packers would have received a second-round pick from the team that made the offer since Green Bay placed a second-round tender on Tonyan.
Tonyan's contract in 2021 under the second-round tender was $3.38 million. If the Packers were to once again utilize the second-round tender this offseason and place it on Lazard, Spotrac projects that contract to be worth $3.98 million in 2022--a very affordable deal given Lazard's contributions.
Admittedly, Lazard's overall production these past two seasons doesn't exactly leap off the page. In 10 games during the 2020 season, he recorded 451 receiving yards at 13.7 yards per catch with three touchdowns. Then in 15 games this past year, he totaled 513 yards at 12.8 yards per catch with an impressive eight touchdowns--okay, that figure does leap off the page.
But despite the less-than-gaudy stats, Lazard provides so much for this Green Bay Packers offense. For starters, he's a very efficient pass-catcher, hauling in 69% of his 106 targets these past two seasons.
These aren't only targets close to the line of scrimmage either; according to PFF, Lazard tied for 14th in deep ball catch rate -- passes that travel at least 20 yards -- in 2020, and he tied for 12th in that category this season. His 45.0 yards per reception on deep targets in 2020 also ranked as the eighth-best average.
His reliability over these two years has really helped build the trust that Aaron Rodgers has in him--and we all know how important that is. In higher-leverage situations the last two seasons, such as on third and fourth downs, Lazard has been Rodgers' go-to target in many instances, catching 37 of those 53 passes with 35 of those receptions moving the chains--not to mention that he's averaging 15.8 yards per catch in those situations.
But perhaps most impressive was Lazard's play last season from Weeks 13 through 17, where he looked like a legitimate No. 2 receiver for this Packers team. During that stretch, Lazard caught 21 of his 28 targets for 290 yards -- or 13.8 yards per catch -- with five touchdowns.
Also, when talking about Lazard, who Matt LaFleur affectionately refers to as the team "goon" as well as an "enforcer," we have to mention his contributions in the run game as a blocker. At times that may go unnoticed, but it's another massive contribution to this offense. Oftentimes when you see Aaron Jones or AJ Dillon ripping off a big run outside the hash marks, you'll also see Lazard maintaining his blocks well downfield.
“In the run game, you can really feel his presence,” LaFleur said via SI. “But that also helps create some big-time plays in the passing game when he’s going in, and he’s digging out safeties, just like you saw last year in the playoff game vs. the Rams. That was one of the longest plays they had given up all season long. So, he’s got that big-play potential.”
So I've said all of that -- talking about how restricted free agency works, the contract cost for a second-round tender, and Lazard's production -- to, in short say, where can you find that level of production and someone who means as much to the offense as Lazard does for less than $4 million?
Is it possible? Sure. Easy? Not at all.
I know Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are asked to do different things in this offense, but in all likelihood, Lazard's contract in 2022 is going to be cheaper than what MVS will receive on the open market. At the moment, Spotrac is projecting that Valdes-Scantling lands a new deal that pays him $8.7 million per year. On top of that, this receiver room is depleted at the moment with Randall Cobb -- a possible cut candidate -- Juwann Winfree, Amari Rodgers, Chris Blair, and Rico Gafford as the only players under contract for 2022.
If I had to guess, placing a second-round tender on Lazard will keep other teams away, meaning the Packers would owe him $3.98 million this season--which I'll say again, is a small amount when you take into account what he adds to this offense, and should make this one of Gutey's easier decisions.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
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Comments (27)
splitpea1
February 25, 2022 at 11:40 am
He's a definitely keeper--great blocker, usually very reliable receiver, fits in well with the team's objectives, and budget-friendly (unlike a certain other receiver). What more could you ask?
It's a real shame Rodgers didn't turn to him more often in those "high leverage" situations during the playoffs; certainly can't blame Lazard for that, though.
Minniman
February 25, 2022 at 11:55 am
Yep - Lazard is an important role piece for the Packers to keep. He's that "blue-collar" player that allows Adams to be great.
Agree also that he needs more receptions this coming year.
I'll be interested to see how Tonyan goes next year too. A healthy Tonyan will also be a contributing factor in the attack.
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2022 at 12:58 pm
Tonyan will more than likely be a non-factor until December, if he is retained. ACL takes a bit of healing, best to snag a SFA and draft a guy with a high pick by round three.
beerandbrats
February 25, 2022 at 11:43 am
At 6'5", Lazard is a big bodied receiver and definitely a keeper!
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2022 at 12:59 pm
He is a possession receiver that is Underutilized.
TarynsEyes
February 25, 2022 at 12:08 pm
It's being talked about on TV that Rodgers wants a $50 million+ a year extension.
Bitternotsour
February 25, 2022 at 12:22 pm
well. if it's on tv it must be reliable.
though not yet reported, i too want a 50 million dollar a year extension. i'm also requesting to be 30 again.
13TimeChamps
February 25, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Too funny!!!
barutanseijin
February 25, 2022 at 01:12 pm
Good. I’m hoping that’s true. It’d be great if he prices himself out of Green Bay.
Does he think no one saw him choke in all those playoff games? Or that no one knows his age? He seems so far up his own ass that he has no clue what the world outside his circle of sycophants thinks.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
February 25, 2022 at 02:05 pm
Of course Rodgers wants $50 million +.
Even nore reason why Gutey needs to trade him.
ImaPayne
February 25, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Maybe its me but this year he looked like he lost more then a step and looked heavy. I think he would be a better TE then receiver. Here he has the speed, size and agility to fit in that role nicely. The pack still need someone to stretch the field and for me its mot MVS.
MVS has had the op to grow, mature and be more productive and it hasnt happened. He just cant keep his mind in the game.
frankthefork
February 25, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Packer's WR room is below average compared to the Vikes...so yes keep Lazard. AL13 is a solid No.3 WR, or with 15 lbs another TE option. Both WR and TE rooms need early draft picks and also FA pickups.
BTW...IMO the Packers didn't have a No. 2 WR for 3 years.
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2022 at 01:02 pm
They didn't have a TE to challenge the 49r defense in the playoff GAME either. Need a guy who can make the plays in the hook zones and flats to occupy the safety or LBs.
Coldworld
February 25, 2022 at 03:07 pm
We need a true TE certainly. Perhaps Davies can develop further, but still, we need other competition. Tonyan is not going to be available for at least half a season and may not be fully at his best for longer.
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2022 at 06:43 pm
Yes, they have to get down to brass tacks and select a guy who played the position during college. There are three or four candidates to go inline and can control the flats. Let Deguara play multiple as a HB as he did for Cincinnati.
dobber
February 25, 2022 at 01:07 pm
Why do people see a guy who is 6'5" and assume he needs to add weight and play TE? He was running a lot of TE routes in the second half of 2021 already. If he's not going to be putting his hand on the ground or engaging OLBs and DEs--which he isn't suited or skilled in doing--why would you slow him down by adding weight, or get him unnecessarily beat up, when he can still do what you need him to do? "Darren Waller did it"--yeah, and Darren Waller was 6'6" and 240, and ran a 4.46 coming out of college. Even if he lost 0.1+, he's still running 4.6 or below. He also almost snorted himself out of the league and needed to reinvent himself.
Waller is still mostly a WR. Tonyan was playing WR on a significant number of snaps. A TE who plays split out or in the slot and doesn't put his hand on the ground is a WR (or a back).
jhtobias
February 25, 2022 at 01:02 pm
I agree he is worth that amount unless they resign rodgers becuase he won't throw to him in the playoffs
calabasa
February 25, 2022 at 03:24 pm
Yeah I’m sick of all this “trust” talk. Seems like code for “buddy”. The quarterback should throw to the open receiver. End of story.
bjkdad44
February 25, 2022 at 05:45 pm
Bingo!!!
ricky
February 25, 2022 at 01:11 pm
Definitely, Lazard is targeted when the game is during the regular season. But when it is crunch time in the playoffs? He might as well be on the bench, because the last two times the Packers were eliminated in the playoffs, Lazard was open in the end zone (Tampa) or for a definite first down/significant gain at a crucial time (SF). Both times, the ball forced toward Adams, both incomplete. And if Rodgers truly wants a big raise on an extension, this is pretty simple. Since he has said he wants to be part of the decision-making process in signing/retaining guys, bring him in, and he can help choose who the Packers will cut to get under the cap, while also paying Adams a significantly greater amount.
jannesbjornson
February 25, 2022 at 06:56 pm
Montana had Jerry Rice Dwight Clark and John Taylor. Toss in Russ Francis at TE. this morphed along as Walsh engineered the WCO. He always had a possession guy, and a speed guy to Complement Jerry. Walsh was a wizard with the draft and his picks hit. Then the two TE sets with Wesley Walls and Brent Jones. Roger Craig, Spencer Tillman, Keith Henderson as RBs in the rotation,,,bam bam bam move it along Rathman and Harry Sydney as FULLBACKs. This is an example of roster building that Kyle Shanahan follows to this day. That's why he made a move for Rodgers last spring. Complete the triangle. Walsh is the Master, not Wolf.
LambeauPlain
February 26, 2022 at 10:56 am
"Walsh is the Master, not Wolf."
Ron Wolf: Mike Holmgren, Brett Favre, Reggie White, Shawn Jones, Santana Dotson, Gilbert Brown, 92-52 record as GB GM after TWO DECADES of futility, HOF member....a masterful GENERAL MANAGER.
Walsh was not a master GM. He was a HC.
crayzpackfan
February 25, 2022 at 02:05 pm
Keep him…
Have a great weekend everyone
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
February 25, 2022 at 02:09 pm
Give me guys like Lazard all day long and I can guarantee a lot of victories. Definitely a keeper!
wildbill
February 25, 2022 at 06:42 pm
At his price it’s really a no brainer to bring him back. I have to agree with the statements that Rodgers forces throws to Adams when others are wide open. I have posted that myself in the past. So if they bring back Rodgers then let Adams walk/trade. No wr is worth $100 million, and I think we won every game he has missed the last three years.
Of course bringing back Adams may be what Rodgers wants to stay. Glad it’s not my decision as don’t want to go back to the 70/80s but hey it’s gonna happen at some point.
Rarescope
February 26, 2022 at 08:18 am
“Glad it’s not my decision as don’t want to go back to the 70/80s but hey it’s gonna happen at some point.”
Sorry, the train doesn’t go that way my friend.
LambeauPlain
February 26, 2022 at 11:05 am
Lazard brings toughness to the O. Does whatever he asked to do and does it well. Any NFL team is better with football players like him on the roster. Leads by example. All reports from the team are he is also great for the locker room.
No way Matt and Gutey let him leave unless some team is willing to pay him way above the 2nd round tender and parts with their second rounder. Allen wants to be a Packer so a competing offer would have to be eye popping.