The New York Jets will keep Alijah Vera-Tucker in town by picking up his fifth-year option
After the NFL draft, Joe Douglas answered another New York Jets order of business. He informed the New York media that the team will, indeed, pick up guard Alijah Vera-Tucker‘s fifth-year option, keeping him in the Green and White at least through 2025.
The #Jets are picking up Alijah Vera-Tucker's fifth-year option, Joe Douglas said.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) April 27, 2024
There was much speculation and doubt surrounding whether the Jets would make this move. Although Vera-Tucker showed flashes of elite play when on the field, he played only 12 combined games in 2022-23. A torn triceps in Week 7 wiped out the remainder of his 2022 season, while a ruptured Achilles tendon on the same field in Denver in Week 5 set him down for 2023.
In both seasons, the Jets’ offense tanked after Vera-Tucker went down.
- With Vera-Tucker, 2022-23: 250 carries, 4.78 yards per carry (4th), 10 TD, -0.02 EPA per rush (9th), 39.2% success rate (24th)
- Without Vera-Tucker, 2022-23: 465 carries, 3.85 yards per carry (29th), 7 TD, -0.18 EPA per rush (31st), 32.9% success rate (32nd)
Still, the value of Vera-Tucker’s fifth-year option is $15.3 million, which would currently be the 11th-highest average annual value for a guard contract. Picking up the option is risky with Vera-Tucker’s inability to stay on the field. The Jets are betting on the sky-high ceiling Vera-Tucker showed when he did play while hoping that he’ll stay healthy. If he can avoid injury, Vera-Tucker is almost undoubtedly worth the option.
Vera-Tucker joins Joe Tippmann, John Simpson, and 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu as Jets offensive linemen under contract for 2025. Douglas has prioritized keeping continuity along the line after disastrous outcomes in 2022-23.
