Alijah Vera-Tucker, New England Patriots
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Alijah Vera-Tucker #75 of the New York Jets warms up at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
The New York Giants lost out on one of their top free agent targets on Monday night, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that free agent offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker agreed to terms with the New England Patriots.
https://twitter.com.com/RapSheet/status/2031214142833455301?s=20
In the days leading up to free agency, the Giants’ interest in Vera-Tucker was well-documented and reported on by multiple outlets. Instead, the team will have to pivot.
It’s a three-year deal for the former New York Jets first-round pick, which, according to SNY’s Connor Hughes, was the hang-up for Giants brass.
“The Giants and Alijah Vera-Tucker reached an impasse over the length of the contract. It proved too much to work through, even though there was internal optimism within New York’s building that they could as late as 1030pm tonight,” wrote Hughes.
New England was the team that ponied up for the high-upside guard, and Big Blue is left holding the bag.
Giants’ Alijah Vera-Tucker Alternative
While the New York Giants won’t be signing the former 14th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, this doesn’t mean they’re done shopping for free agent offensive linemen.
Hughes revealed a potential alternative to Vera-Tucker, Cleveland Browns guard Wyatt Teller.
“I’d expect the Giants to pivot to Wyatt Teller. The team was never considering them together. Teller was among the AVT contingency plans,” continued Hughes.
Teller, a two-time All-Pro, is one of the best available guards left on the free agent market. Despite his age, he still has some good football left in the tank.
The 31-year-old expects to land a three-year, $30.5 million deal on the open market, according to Spotrac. The same length as Vera-Tucker’s deal, but likely less money.
He’ll still be a solid option for the offensive line-needy Giants.