5 former Packers players who failed with their new teams in 2023

Allen Lazard

Randall Cobb wasn't the only former Packers receiver to join Aaron Rodgers in New York. Green Bay easily could've offered Allen Lazard a new deal, giving Jordan Love a veteran receiver who knew the offense. Instead, Brian Gutekunst decided to move forward with rookies and second-year receivers, with the Jets handing Lazard a four-year deal worth $44 million.

The Packers have built one of the most talented young receiving groups in the league, while the Jets are stuck with Lazard's contract for at least another season.

And despite handing him a significant deal, the Jets made Lazard a healthy scratch in multiple games. In the 14 he played, Lazard caught just 23 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown.

We can assume Lazard's numbers would've improved with a healthy Rodgers, but it's still nowhere near good enough. New York signed Cobb specifically to play with Rodgers, but Lazard needed to contribute, considering the contract the Jets gave him. You don't hand a receiver a $44 million deal for 23 receptions in year one, no matter who is throwing the ball. Garrett Wilson had a 1,000-yard season in this offense.

It looks like another bad decision for the Jets, but one Gutekunst got spot on. Maybe New York should've taken note of the fact Green Bay was willing to move on from these players.