New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh makes it clear where Alijah Vera-Tucker, Carl Lawson will be playing in 2023

Alijah Vera-Tucker and Carl Lawson have been the subjects of much debate throughout the 2023 offseason. New York Jets fans have been wondering where each player will be playing next year, although the question marks surrounding each player are very different.

For Vera-Tucker, the question is not whether he will be playing for the Jets, but where he’ll be playing on the Jets’ offensive line. For Lawson, though, the question is whether he will be a Jet at all.

Robert Saleh cleared up both situations when speaking at the NFL’s league meetings on Monday.

Regarding Vera-Tucker, Saleh says the third-year lineman will likely be staying at right guard, which is the position he manned to begin the 2022 season. Saleh believes Vera-Tucker can be an All-Pro at guard.

And regarding Lawson, Saleh made it quite clear that Lawson will be remaining on the team in 2023.

Due to his large cap hit in 2023 ($15.3 million), which can be easily escaped with very little dead money, Lawson had been regarded as a strong candidate to be released, traded, or take a pay-cut. Saleh’s comments suggest the Jets do not have any interest in parting ways with Lawson. A pay-cut could still be on the table, though.

Vera-Tucker played both guard and tackle in college before moving to guard in the NFL. He played left guard for the entirety of his 2021 rookie season and moved to right guard at the start of his second season. After numerous injuries struck the Jets’ offensive line, Vera-Tucker flashed his unique versatility as he started games at both left tackle and right tackle while shining at both spots. His success at tackle in 2022 led some to believe the Jets could move him outside in 2023, but Saleh seems to believe Vera-Tucker is at his best on the inside.