Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Hakeem Butler

Friday, February 14, 5:38 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard is fully expected to be released after Year 2 of his disastrous four-year, $44 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2023. Lazard was downright bad in 2023 and played only slightly better with quarterback Aaron Rodgers last year before getting hurt late in the season. The 29-year-old was one of the most drop-prone receivers in the league and admitted that he struggles when Rodgers isn't on the field. The Jets will sav $6.6 million in salary cap space if/when they cut Lazard while taking on $6.5 million in dead money. If he's a post-June 1 cut, the Jets would save $11 million with a $2.1 million dead-cap penalty. Lazard was a major miss, catching 60 passes for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in his two seasons with the Jets. If Rodgers retires this offseason, Lazard would be pretty bummed.

Monday, August 21, 2:31 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released wide receiver Hakeem Butler (undisclosed) with an injury designation. The big-bodied pass-catcher racked up 51 receptions for 599 yards and a league-leading eight touchdown scores in the XFL in 2023 but didn't last very long during his second chance to make it in the NFL. Butler was a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 but did not log a reception for the team, and has zero receptions on one target in two games played with the Philadelphia Eagles in his career. After failing to make the Steelers roster, his NFL career might be over.