Allen Lazard

Allen Lazard Bio

Allen Jamel Lazard is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on December 11, 1995, in Des Moines, Iowa, Lazard played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has built his professional career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, and most recently the New York Jets, where he signed a lucrative four-year contract in 2023. Throughout his career, Lazard has established himself as a reliable target in the red zone and a player who thrives in high-pressure situations, particularly playing alongside elite quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers.

Early Life and Background

Allen Lazard grew up in Urbandale, Iowa, where he attended Urbandale High School. He was a four-year starter on both offense and defense for the Blazers, demonstrating exceptional versatility from an early age. Lazard still holds the school career records in receptions with 105, receiving yards with 2,349, touchdowns with 34, and interceptions with 14. His impressive high school career earned him recognition as a USA Today High School All-American, and he was named the Des Moines Register’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2013 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2012.

Prior to enrolling at Iowa State, Lazard participated in the prestigious 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, further solidifying his reputation as one of the top high school prospects in the country. He was rated as a consensus four-star recruit and was ranked as the number one recruit in the state of Iowa and the seventh-best receiver in the nation by Rivals. Lazard chose to play for the Iowa State Cyclones, following in the footsteps of his father Kevin Lazard, who played for the team from 1990 to 1993, and his brother Anthony, who played from 2013 to 2016. This family legacy at Iowa State made his commitment particularly meaningful.

Path to the NFL

Lazard’s journey to the NFL began with an outstanding collegiate career at Iowa State University from 2014 to 2017. He quickly made an impact as a freshman, starting 11 of the 12 games and finishing second on the team with 45 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns. Both totals ranked second all-time for an Iowa State freshman at the time. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors and ESPN.com Big 12 All-Underclassman recognition for his impressive debut season.

His sophomore year in 2015 saw him start all 11 games and lead the team in receptions with 56, receiving yards with 808, and touchdown catches with 6. He ranked fifth in the Big 12 and 59th nationally in receptions per game and was named Second-team All-Big 12. Lazard’s junior season in 2016 marked his breakthrough year, as he led the team with 69 receptions for 1,018 yards and 7 touchdowns. He broke the school record for 100-yard receiving games with six and became the fourth player in Iowa State history to record a 1,000-yard season. This performance earned him First-team All-Big 12 honors and the Pete Taylor Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year.

In his senior season of 2017, Lazard continued his dominance with 71 receptions for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns, again leading the team in all three categories. His standout performances included a 10-catch, 142-yard, one-touchdown game in the Liberty Bowl victory against No. 19 Memphis. At the conclusion of his college career, Lazard ranked as Iowa State’s all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest receivers in school history.

Allen Lazard Career

Jacksonville Jaguars (2018)

After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Lazard signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. He participated in rookie minicamp and training camp with the team but was waived on September 1, 2018, during final roster cuts. The Jaguars signed him to their practice squad the following day, where he remained while waiting for his opportunity at the NFL level. Prior to the draft, Lazard had received an invitation to participate in the 2018 Senior Bowl, which helped showcase his talents to NFL scouts despite not being selected in the draft.

Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2018–2022)

On December 18, 2018, Lazard’s career changed when the Green Bay Packers signed him off the Jaguars’ practice squad. This move proved to be transformative for his professional career. In his first full season with the Packers in 2019, Lazard recorded his first professional touchdown, a 35-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers, during a Week 6 win over the Detroit Lions on October 14. He had a breakout performance on December 1 against the New York Giants, posting three catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Overall, he finished the 2019 season with 35 receptions for 477 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.

The 2020 season saw Lazard emerge as a more significant part of the Packers’ offense before an injury cut his campaign short. He had notable performances including a six-catch, 146-yard, one-touchdown game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football. However, he was placed on injured reserve on October 3 after undergoing core muscle surgery and was activated on November 17. Despite playing in six fewer games, he finished with 33 receptions for 451 yards and three touchdowns. In the playoffs, he recorded four catches for 96 yards including a 58-yard touchdown in the Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams.

In 2021, Lazard set career highs with 40 receptions for 513 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught Jordan Love’s first NFL touchdown in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. A memorable moment came on Christmas Day when he caught Aaron Rodgers’ 443rd career touchdown pass with the Packers, breaking Brett Favre’s previous record of 442. His five touchdowns over the final five weeks of the season were tied for second most in the NFL during that span. In 2022, Lazard appeared in and started 15 games, finishing with 60 receptions for 788 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, his best statistical season to that point.

New York Jets Era (2023–2025)

On March 17, 2023, Lazard signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the New York Jets, a move that reunited him with his former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers following his trade to New York. Many analysts viewed the signing as part of the Jets’ effort to persuade Rodgers to accept the trade. In the 2023 season, Lazard played 14 games with 23 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown. The season was significantly impacted when Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1, leaving Lazard without his star quarterback for most of the campaign.

The 2024 season brought renewed opportunity when Rodgers returned to action. Lazard caught Rodgers’ first touchdown pass as a Jet during the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. By the first six games of 2024, he had already surpassed his total receptions and yards from the previous season while catching five touchdowns. However, he was placed on injured reserve on October 31 due to a chest injury and was activated on December 7. He finished the 2024 season with 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns, showing his continued ability to contribute when healthy.

Playing Style and Strengths

Allen Lazard is known for his size and physicality at the wide receiver position, standing at 6 feet 5 inches and using his frame effectively to win contested catches. His 6-foot-5 frame makes him a red zone threat and a reliable target on jump balls and fade routes. Lazard has demonstrated the ability to make clutch catches in crucial situations, evidenced by his record-breaking touchdown reception on Christmas Day 2021. His chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, developed over multiple seasons in Green Bay, translated to success when the two were reunited in New York. He is also known for his toughness and willingness to go over the middle despite his size.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Lazard has achieved several notable milestones. He caught the game-sealing touchdown in a victory over the number-three ranked Oklahoma team during his senior season at Iowa State. In the NFL, his most memorable moment came on Christmas Day 2021 when he caught Aaron Rodgers’ record-breaking 443rd career touchdown pass, surpassing Brett Favre’s franchise record. His performance in the 2020 Divisional Round playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, where he recorded a 58-yard touchdown reception, showcased his big-play ability on the biggest stage. His journey from undrafted free agent to a $44 million contract demonstrates his perseverance and development as a professional athlete.

Allen Lazard Career Statistics

Allen Lazard has compiled solid career statistics across his NFL tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, and New York Jets. As of the 2025 season, he has established himself as a reliable NFL receiver with consistent production across multiple seasons with the Packers before his move to New York.

NFL Career Highlights

Lazard’s best statistical season came in 2022 with the Packers, when he recorded 60 receptions for 788 receiving yards and six touchdowns while starting 15 games. His 2021 season was equally impressive with career highs of 40 receptions, 513 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns, including several clutch performances down the stretch. His consistency was demonstrated by his ability to nearly match his previous year totals in 2020 despite playing six fewer games due to injury. In his Jets tenure, his most productive season came in 2024 with 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns before his injury.

College Career Records

At Iowa State, Lazard left as the school’s all-time leader in career receptions and receiving yards, accomplishments that earned him First-team All-Big 12 honors in both 2016 and 2017, as well as Second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2015. His single-season accomplishments included becoming the fourth player in Iowa State history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season and breaking the school record for 100-yard receiving games in a single season with six.

Allen Lazard Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Allen Lazard comes from a family with a strong football tradition at Iowa State University. His father, Kevin Lazard, played for the Cyclones from 1990 to 1993, establishing the family’s legacy with the program. His brother, Anthony Lazard, continued the family tradition by playing for Iowa State from 2013 to 2016. This multigenerational connection to the university made Allen’s decision to attend Iowa State over prominent programs like Notre Dame, Nebraska, Stanford, California, and Iowa a meaningful continuation of family heritage rather than simply a football decision.

Personal Life

Allen Lazard maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans through his verified Instagram and Twitter accounts. He was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for his accomplishments in the NFL. Lazard has been open about his unvaccinated status during the 2021 NFL season, which led to his placement on the COVID-19 reserve list as a close contact when teammate Davante Adams tested positive. He received a fine of $14,650 for violating NFL COVID-19 protocols that season. Lazard continues to be involved in community initiatives and has maintained his roots in Iowa throughout his professional career.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season marked a significant turning point for Allen Lazard with the New York Jets. On December 16, 2025, the Jets made the decision to release Lazard, bringing an end to his tenure with the team after three seasons. He finished the 2025 campaign with 10 receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown, his lowest statistical output since his rookie year. The limited production reflected both his reduced role in the offense and the challenges of the Jets’ season as a whole.

Lazard’s time with the Jets was characterized by high expectations following his $44 million contract signing in 2023, which was largely viewed as part of the package to lure Aaron Rodgers to New York. While he showed flashes of his abilities, particularly in 2024 when he surpassed his previous season totals by mid-year, consistency remained elusive. The release marked a new chapter in his career as he entered the free agent market seeking an opportunity to revitalize his professional trajectory with another organization.