The Jets had previously said this offseason that the plan was to keep Alijah Vera-Tucker in one spot on the offensive line this season instead of bouncing him around, as they have in the past due to injuries.
At the Annual League Meeting this week in Orlando, Florida, head coach Robert Saleh confirmed the plan for Vera-Tucker is to keep him at right guard.
This became expected after the Jets traded for right tackle Morgan Moses from the Baltimore Ravens then followed that up by signing former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith. With the team also signing free-agent guard John Simpson to replace the released Laken Tomlinson, right guard became the logical spot for Vera-Tucker.
The Jets want to increase the chances of keeping Vera-Tucker healthy. He has suffered season-ending triceps and Achilles injuries over the past two seasons, causing him to miss a total of 22 games. The Jets also have to decide on Vera-Tucker’s fifth-year option this offseason, an option that, if picked up, would guarantee Vera-Tucker a projected $15.3 million for 2025.
Saleh also mentioned the Jets plan to adjust how they handle the offensive line during the spring and summer as another way to try and prevent injuries.
Given all the bad luck the Jets have had with offensive line injuries over the last two seasons, and given how much pressure there is on the team this season, the Jets need all the healthy linemen they can get, including and especially Vera-Tucker.