Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets
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New York Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The New York Jets are set to lose one of their own.
Insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports said the team “expects” to lose offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson in free agency.
One of the big reasons the Jets could lose AVT is because of his expected interest on the open market.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport revealed during the television broadcast of the NFL Combine that Vera-Tucker is “set for a nice payday” in free agency.
Before directly mentioning AVT, Rapoport said the interior offensive line market is heating up, and several unexpected names will command $15 million per year or more on new deals.
According to Over The Cap, 15 guards in the NFL make at least $15 million annually or more. That group includes eight left guards and seven right guards.
Paul Andrew Esden Jr
.@nflnetwork Insider @RapSheet just said that #Jets IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker is “set for a nice payday” in free agency.
Despite playing only 43 of 85 possible games over the last 5 years, it sounds like #NFL teams are willing to bet on the 26-year-old.
He has suffered a
Teams Don’t Seem Afraid of the Troubling Track Record
There has seemingly been a consensus this offseason from the general public that Vera-Tucker would essentially get the same offer from every team, a prove-it deal.
Vera-Tucker, 26, will turn 27 before the start of the 2026 season. Across his five years in the NFL, three of those seasons have ended prematurely due to injury. He has torn both of his triceps and torn his Achilles.
Those injuries have forced AVT to play in only 43 out of 85 possible games in his career. When healthy and on the field, Vera-Tucker has looked terrific. That just hasn’t happened very often at the NFL level.
Spotrac’s calculated market value projects that AVT could command a four-year $51.3 million contract in free agency. That $12.8 million salary would place him No. 11 among the highest-paid left guards in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
However, if an NFL team on the open market believes Vera-Tucker can transition to offensive tackle full-time, he could get even more money in free agency.
One of AVT’s superpowers is his versatility. During his five years in the league, Vera-Tucker has gotten snaps at four of the five offensive line spots. The only OL role he hasn’t played at the NFL level is center.
Insiders Say Jets Will Monitor the Market
Pauline emphatically reported that the Jets expect to lose both Simpson and Vera-Tucker once free agency begins.
However, some of the beat reporters painted a different picture.
“As for left guard: Alijah Vera-Tucker wants to test his market in free agency, so the Jets will have to decide if it’s worth the risk of losing him and being left empty-handed, or re-signing John Simpson instead. As of now, the sense is that Vera-Tucker and Simpson will hit free agency — but that doesn’t mean the Jets will not re-sign one of them,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote.
“It appears that guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson won’t get new contracts before the start of free agency and will hit the open market when the new league year begins on March 11. This doesn’t mean they’re both goners; the Jets intend to keep tabs on them,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini said.
A Looming Dark Cloud
The Jets have plenty of holes coming off a 3-14 season. If they don’t retain Simpson or Vera-Tucker, another roster hole would open up.
Pauline said if that happens, the Jets will “look to come out of free agency with an offensive guard.”