After an uneven end to his first season with the Jets, WR Allen Lazard is following the recipe that took him from an undrafted free agent to one of Aaron Rodgers top targets in Green Bay in hopes of "contributing to winning" in New York.

"I have dealt with adversity my whole life, even before the NFL, especially in college and highs school," Lazard said. "So, the adversity is nothing new to me, I know I can do this. I think the biggest thing for me is learning how to adapt to the situations and I am doing that now, going back to what I know."

Lazard, who signed with the Jets from the Packers last offseason, suffered through a rough final eight games of last season with the Green & White. He was inactive for three games and recorded 3 catches on 9 targets in the other five games.

"It was tough, a really tough year," Lazard said. "I think it was arguably the hardest year of my career," Lazard said. "A lot of adversity, moving cities, having a new team and a new environment, obviously losing Aaron, that was detrimental for the team. After playing alongside him the last four seasons, I was trying to figure out how I still be impactful."

Beginning his second season with New York, Lazard is following the blueprint that made him a versatile player in Green Bay.

Lazard signed with the Packers in 2018 as a rookie out of Iowa State and made the team by becoming a valued contributor on special teams. He played one game as rookie before playing in 56 games (40 starts) over the next four seasons and eventually becoming one of Rodgers' favorite targets outside of All-Pro wideout Davante Adams. From 2019-22, Lazard totaled 2,229 yard receiving and secured 15 red zone touchdowns, which ranked 17th among wide receivers.

Lazard told reporters after practice Monday he spent the offseason homing in on what made him valuable in Green Bay: his effectiveness on third down and in the red zone and his contributions on special teams.

"Any time I am out there on the field, I take a lot of pride, not only in my last name but the body of work I put out there," Lazard said about playing special teams. "If I am out there, I am making sure I am setting an example for the younger guys."

Lazard (6-5, 227) moved to Dallas in April where he began training at SandersFit Performance Center. SandersFit trains several other NFL players including Ravens All-Pro RB Derrick Henry, former Falcons All-Pro WR Julio Jones and Cowboys Pro Bowl QB Dak Prescott.

"I had been watching a lot of his [Henry's] workout videos and seeing the success he has been having especially at the running back position and how healthy he stayed," Lazard said. "Whatever training he has been doing, it was working for him. … I am very thankful for that and all the people there who have helped me get into the best shape possible."

After a strong showing at OTAs and a promising start to camp finding the endzone three times during the first week of non-padded practices and being one of the first players to special teams drills daily, HC Robert Saleh likes Lazard's trajectory.

"I thought he handled last year like a pro," Saleh said. "He could've gone off the rails like a lot of guys would and started pointing fingers. I think he's done a great job attacking this offseason. I think he's done a great job getting his feet settled where he is. … He's doing a phenomenal job in the receiver room, just talking with his guys and doing a great job in practice. His head is in the right spot.

Lazard added: "I want to reestablish the value I bring to this team, not only on the field but in the locker room and the community. I just want to be able to put my best foot forward going into the season."