In a stunning turn of events, wide receiver Allen Lazard has been deactivated from the game day roster of the New York Jets. This move comes just half a season into Lazard's lucrative $44 million contract with the team, adding further frustration to the Jets' already challenging season.

The root of the Jets' struggles can be traced back to the unfortunate injury that quarterback Aaron Rodgers sustained early in the regular season. With their plans built around Rodgers leading the team, New York has been dealt a heavy blow. One evident consequence of this setback is the limited playing time for receiver Randall Cobb, who had been highly advocated for by Rodgers during their time together in Green Bay. Although Cobb returned to the Jets largely due to Rodgers' support, he has only managed three receptions this season and has not seen any action since Week 6.

Now, it seems that Allen Lazard is following a similar path. Just months after signing a four-year, $44 million deal, Lazard finds himself as a healthy scratch for the Jets' game against the Miami Dolphins on Black Friday. The wide receiver has struggled to make an impact, only surpassing 50 yards in a single game once this season. Moreover, over the past three weeks, Lazard has averaged a mere 11.7 yards per game, despite having played 168 offensive snaps during that span.

Interestingly, the setback for the Jets translates into gains for the Green Bay Packers. Lazard's sizeable contract is expected to secure the Packers a fourth-round compensatory draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Additionally, the more losses the Jets accumulate, the higher the second-round draft pick they will be sending to the Packers in exchange for Rodgers in 2024.

With a 4-6 record in the competitive AFC, the Jets' hopes of a Rodgers return this season could be dwindling rapidly, especially if they suffer another loss under the leadership of backup quarterback Tim Boyle. It appears unlikely that Rodgers would risk re-injury for a team that has minimal chances of making the playoffs.

While some fans have expressed frustration over the Packers' lack of first-round picks invested in the wide receiver position, the team's young group of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Malik Heath have been performing admirably. The contrasting outcomes of Cobb and Lazard in New York further solidify the Packers' decision to move on from these players during the offseason.

As the Jets face ongoing challenges without their star quarterback, the deactivation of Allen Lazard from the roster serves as another reminder of the difficult circumstances they currently find themselves in. Only time will tell if they can turn their fortunes around and salvage their season.