Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Allen Lazard

Saturday, February 22, 12:03 PM

The Athletic's Chad Graff suggests that it could be time for the New England Patriots to move on from wide receiver Kendrick Bourne this offseason, even if he's their top player at their biggest position of need. Bourne missed the start of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn right ACL and caught only 28 passes on 38 targets for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (nine starts) once he returned. With a new coaching regime in town, the Patriots could move on from Bourne, who will be heading into his age-30 season in 2025. New England would save $4.9 million in salary cap space if they cut him before June 1 or $6.3 million if they cut him with a post-June 1 designation. Bourne is under contract with the Patriots through the 2026 season, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see this rebuilding organization go in another direction as they completely rebuild their receiving corps.

Thursday, April 10, 1:16 PM

The New York Jets and wide receiver Allen Lazard agreed on Thursday to a revised contract for the 2025 season that will result in $8.5 million in salary cap savings, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations. Lazard was scheduled to earn $11 million in 2025, but he'll be taking an $8.5 million pay cut to stay under contract with the team this year. $1.75 million of his salary for the year is guaranteed, and he'll become a free agent in 2026. The 29-year-old pass-catcher signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets as a free agent in 2023, but he ended up being a bust and had a 23-311-1 line in 14 games in his first year. Lazard improved in 2024, catching 37 of 60 targets for 530 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games, but it wasn't enough to justify his salary. He has struggled with drops and won't be guaranteed a role as the No. 2 behind Garrett Wilson in 2025 without his buddy Aaron Rodgers in town.