Packers free agency 2020: Easy decision with Allen Lazard

Allen Lazard is an exclusive rights free agent this offseason. Bringing him back is about the easiest decision the Green Bay Packers will have to make.

Despite impressing throughout the preseason, Allen Lazard failed to make the Packers’ initial 53-man roster in September. By the end of the season, he was the team’s number two wide receiver behind Davante Adams.

It was quite the season for the undrafted free agent. In a year that saw Trevor Davis get traded, Darrius Shepherd released, and the trio of Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jake Kumerow all failing to make a consistent impact, the Packers needed someone to step up.

That’s exactly what Lazard did. He finished second on the team in receiving with 35 catches for 477 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those TDs came in different games against the Detroit Lions, and both effectively saved the game for Green Bay, helping lead to dramatic last-second game-winners by Mason Crosby.

Making Lazard’s season all the more impressive was that he barely featured on offense until Week 6, the first game against the Lions.

Prior to that, he had played either zero or one percent of offensive snaps in three games, nine percent in one and 18 percent in another, according to Pro Football Reference. But once given an opportunity, he quickly became a key part of Matt LaFleur’s offense.

As Lazard is an exclusive rights free agent, the Packers need to submit a minimum salary tender. Assuming that happens, Lazard’s cap hit in 2020 will be $585,000, according to Over The Cap.

Lazard made the most of his opportunities in the preseason and backed it up in the regular season. He’ll almost certainly be back in 2020. While the Packers will likely add more talent at the position, Lazard deserves a role in LaFleur’s offense. As he’s proved already, don’t write him off.