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.
Robert Saleh said Alijah Vera-Tucker will likely be at right guard. Thinks he can be an All-Pro at guard. #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 27, 2023
And regarding Lawson, Saleh made it quite clear that Lawson will be remaining on the team in 2023.
Robert Saleh on Carl Lawson: "I'll speak for Joe (Douglas) on this one. Pass rushers don't grow on trees … he will be here as long as he can walk and play." #jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 27, 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.
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I’m glad to see Carl coming back. Maybe they can work a pay cut or an extension to reduce his value. But while he wasn’t all pro, he was still good. Another year off surgery, I’d expect him to perform better.
This makes me sad. We can do more with the money than Lawson will produce this coming year. This strikes me as the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing and expecting different result. Maybe Saleh should read JetsXFactor analysis of Lawson’s 2022 play. It convinced me.