Baltimore Ravens Urged to Pursue New York Jets’ Star Free Agent: A Game-Changing Move for the Offense?
As the 2024 NFL season concludes and the Baltimore Ravens prepare for the offseason, there’s an undeniable buzz around potential roster changes and the need for the team to make significant improvements, especially on the offensive side of the ball. While the Ravens have a strong defense and a star quarterback in Lamar Jackson, their offensive struggles have been well-documented, particularly in key moments during the season. To continue competing at the highest level and return to Super Bowl contention, the Ravens will need to make bold moves in free agency, and one name that has been circulating in the rumor mill is New York Jets’ star wide receiver, Allen Lazard.
Lazard, who has proven himself as one of the most reliable and physical wide receivers in the league, is set to hit free agency in 2025 after an impressive season with the Jets. As the Ravens look to bolster their receiving corps and provide Lamar Jackson with more weapons, the possibility of pursuing a player like Lazard has become an enticing prospect.
Multiple analysts, former players, and even fans have called for the Ravens to make a serious run at signing Lazard, citing his proven abilities and his potential fit in Baltimore’s offense. Despite the Ravens’ strong defense and Lamar Jackson’s ability to create plays with his legs, the team has struggled to maintain offensive consistency, especially in crucial playoff moments. In particular, the wide receiver position has been a point of contention, with Jackson often relying heavily on tight end Mark Andrews and running back J.K. Dobbins for offense. Bringing in a proven weapon like Lazard could provide the balance and explosiveness the Ravens have been seeking.
Lazard’s Impact on the Jets and His Potential Fit with the Ravens
Allen Lazard’s tenure with the New York Jets has showcased his ability to impact a game in numerous ways. In the 2024 season, he emerged as a dependable target for the Jets, racking up over 900 receiving yards and scoring multiple touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field with his physicality and contested-catch ability made him a favorite target of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had just joined the Jets in the offseason. Lazard’s presence as a primary wide receiver proved critical for the Jets, especially in high-pressure situations when the offense needed someone to make a big play.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing around 227 pounds, Lazard is a big-bodied receiver with exceptional ball-tracking skills and the ability to make tough catches in tight spaces. He has a reputation for being a reliable red-zone target, something the Ravens have sorely lacked in recent years. While the Ravens have struggled to consistently develop their wide receivers, Lazard’s skills would complement Lamar Jackson’s style of play perfectly. Jackson, who thrives in extending plays with his legs and creating opportunities outside the structure of the offense, would benefit immensely from a receiver who can make contested catches, especially on the deep ball or in short-yardage situations. Additionally, Lazard’s blocking ability would help the Ravens’ run game, allowing Jackson and the backs more opportunities to break big runs.
However, the most significant aspect of Lazard’s potential addition to the Ravens lies in his ability to give Jackson a legitimate No. 1 target. Over the past few seasons, the Ravens’ receiving corps has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent production. While wide receivers like Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay have shown flashes of promise, they have failed to stay healthy and consistently produce at a high level. The Ravens’ passing attack has too often relied on tight ends and running backs for production, with Jackson often forced to extend plays and find secondary options downfield.
Lazard would change that dynamic. His size, physicality, and ability to win contested catches would provide Jackson with a reliable target both on the outside and in the middle of the field. This would open up opportunities for Bateman and Duvernay to operate in more favorable matchups, while also allowing Mark Andrews to work more freely in the middle of the field. The addition of Lazard could elevate the Ravens’ offense to a level where they can consistently threaten opposing defenses through the air, complementing their already dangerous ground game.
The Ravens’ Offensive Struggles and the Need for a True No. 1 Receiver
Despite the Ravens’ success in recent years, their offensive struggles have been a significant roadblock in their pursuit of a Super Bowl. In 2024, Baltimore finished the regular season with a respectable 11-6 record, largely due to their defense and the explosive playmaking ability of Lamar Jackson. However, their offense often sputtered in crucial moments, particularly in high-pressure games against tough defenses.
One of the primary issues for the Ravens’ offense has been the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver. While Lamar Jackson is an incredibly gifted quarterback, his style of play demands a different type of wide receiver than most teams need. Jackson’s dual-threat ability means that his passing game is often predicated on improvisation and creating opportunities on the move. A wide receiver like Allen Lazard, who can win in contested situations and run a variety of routes, would give Jackson a consistent option when plays break down or when defenses focus on limiting his running ability.
The lack of a reliable No. 1 receiver has been particularly evident in Baltimore’s playoff losses over the past few seasons. In 2024, for example, the Ravens’ offense faltered against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round. While Jackson had a solid performance overall, the Ravens’ passing attack was unable to provide enough firepower to keep up with the Bills’ high-scoring offense. In crucial moments, the Ravens’ receivers were unable to make plays, with tight end Mark Andrews being the only consistent option for Jackson. Despite his elite status, Andrews cannot shoulder the entire passing game on his own. The addition of Lazard would relieve some of the pressure on Andrews and give Jackson another viable weapon to work with.
The Ravens’ offense has also been hindered by injuries to key players like Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay, both of whom have shown promise but have struggled to stay on the field. Bringing in Lazard would provide a much-needed layer of depth to the receiving corps, allowing the Ravens to operate with more consistency and fewer question marks at the wide receiver position.
A Strong Defense and the Missing Offensive Piece
As mentioned earlier, the Ravens’ defense remains one of the most formidable units in the NFL. Led by defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, the Ravens have consistently been one of the top defenses in the league, with playmakers like cornerback Marlon Humphrey, linebacker Roquan Smith, and safety Marcus Williams. The defense kept the Ravens competitive in nearly every game, and they showed their ability to shut down some of the league’s most potent offenses.
However, as the NFL continues to evolve, it’s clear that a great defense alone isn’t enough to win a Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles have shown that in today’s NFL, a high-powered offense is often the difference-maker in big games. While the Ravens’ defense is elite, their offense needs to keep up with the league’s best to contend for a championship.
That’s where Allen Lazard’s potential addition comes into play. By adding a proven No. 1 receiver to the roster, the Ravens would be taking a critical step toward becoming a more well-rounded and dangerous team. With Lazard in the fold, Lamar Jackson would have the weapon he needs to operate a more balanced offense, one that can threaten defenses both in the air and on the ground. This would make the Ravens a more complete team and put them in a better position to challenge the Chiefs, Bengals, and other top contenders in the AFC.
The Ravens’ Path Forward: Making the Move
While the Ravens’ defense is elite, the key to their Super Bowl aspirations lies in improving their offense. Lamar Jackson has the potential to lead the team to a championship, but he needs a supporting cast that can consistently produce. Allen Lazard would be a major step in the right direction, providing Jackson with a reliable, physical weapon who can win in all areas of the field.
As the Ravens approach the 2025 offseason, their front office must prioritize adding a true No. 1 receiver to their roster. While there are other potential options in free agency and the draft, Lazard represents one of the most proven commodities available. His size, physicality, and ability to make plays in the clutch would elevate the Ravens’ offense and give Lamar Jackson the weapon he needs to reach his full potential.
The Ravens have a golden opportunity to strengthen their roster and make a push for a Super Bowl in 2025. By pursuing Allen Lazard, they can provide Lamar Jackson with the support he needs, solidifying the team’s chances of competing for the ultimate prize in the NFL. If they can make this move, the Ravens could be on the cusp of a championship run, finally turning their promising team into a perennial Super Bowl contender.
