Jets' Alijah Vera-Tucker has fifth-year option picked up
Jets lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker talks to the media during training camp in Florham Park, N.J., on July 26, 2022. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
The Jets picked up the fifth-year option on versatile offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker’s contract.
General manager Joe Douglas said over the weekend that the Jets would exercise Vera-Tucker’s option for 2025, which is for $15.3 million, according to overthecap.com.
Vera-Tucker has been one of the Jets’ best linemen since they drafted him 14th overall in 2021, but he suffered season-ending injuries the past two seasons.
Vera-Tucker is rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in Denver last October. In 2022, he was also injured in Denver, tearing his triceps in Week 7. As a rookie, he played in all but one game.
Vera-Tucker has moved around the line, playing both guard and tackle positions. The plan this season is for him to stay at right guard.
The Jets have rebuilt the offensive line this offseason. They added veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and left guard John Simpson. The Jets also drafted tackle Olu Fashanu from Penn State with the No. 10 pick in the first round. He is expected to be the Jets’ left tackle of the future but likely will move around in practice as a rookie to get comfortable at different positions.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
