Jul 31, 2023; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) warms up during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
While meeting with the press at the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft, Jets GM Joe Douglas told reporters that the team will be exercising the fifth-year option on lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Vera-Tucker’s injury history is of course well known by the Jets and their fans, but also a well established fact his his high level performance and character since becoming a Jet.
Of course there is some risk involved in retaining a player with Vera-Tucker having suffered two serious injuries over the past two seasons (torn triceps and ruptured achilles), players like him don’t come along very often.
Vera-Tucker has been asked to play both guards spots and both tackle spots, handling all at a high level. Should he manage to stay on the field in 2024, a long-term extension may be an option at that point.