Jets G Alijah Vera-Tucker
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Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is reportedly dealing with a serious injury entering Week 1.
Improving the interior of the offensive line is the top priority for the Los Angeles Chargers during the offseason.
Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or both, the Chargers will likely have three new starters in the interior. It’s a lock that they will at center, as Bradley Bozeman announced his retirement on Monday.
Left guard Zion Johnson is set to become a free agent in March, and right guard Mekhi Becton is highly likely to be cut at anytime, which would save Los Angeles nearly $10 million in salary cap space. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recently identified free agents who would be a perfect fit for each team, and his choice for the Chargers would slide right in place of Becton.
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker Named Perfect Free Agent for Los Angeles Chargers
Tucker was a first-round draft pick for the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft. Here is Ballentine’s analysis on Tucker being a fit for Los Angeles:
“Last year’s Mekhi Becton signing was a swing and a miss for the Chargers. He couldn’t repeat his 2024 performance with the Eagles and he’s likely on the way out. That shouldn’t keep the Chargers from continuing to take shots at the offensive line in free agency. Case in point, Alijah Vera-Tucker could be a huge signing for them.
“His versatility would allow him to play either guard spot or slide out to tackle in a pinch. With both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater coming off season-ending injuries, that would be great. The 26-year-old is coming off a season-ending injury of his own. The triceps injury that ended his 2025 season before it got started should lower his cost, but the Chargers have a ton of cap space so they are the perfect team to see what Vera-Tucker can do.”
Making Sense of the Chargers’ Interior Offensive Line
Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets
GettyNew York Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker
Vera-Tucker had a very good rookie season, as he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed his momentum ever since. Originally a right guard, Vera-Tucker moved to the left side in 2022, but a triceps injury cost him 10 games. In 2023 a torn Achilles limited him to five games, and another triceps injury caused him to miss the entire 2025 season.
In the last full season he played (2024), Vera-Tucker played well. It seems that staying healthy is all that is holding him back. Still just 26 years old, Vera-Tucker could certainly turn his luck around and be a good, dependable player. He shouldn’t command a large contract, so the Chargers could bring in someone else to compete with him.
Their $83.5 million in cap space allows them to shore up its offensive line quickly. Los Angeles could spend big on center and both guard positions, or use its No. 22 overall pick in the draft on one. There typically isn’t a huge demand for interior offensive linemen in the first round, so the Chargers should be able to get a good one if they choose to go that route.