Alijah Vera-Tucker wants the Jets responsibility — and the future that comes with it
And Thursday, head coach Aaron Glenn called Vera-Tucker — whose 2025 campaign, as of now, will double as a contract year, with the right guard on his fifth-year option — 'absolutely' a foundational piece and expressed a hope for contract talks to begin at some point.
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Vera-Tucker has tried to let his agent handle the future and focus on maximizing a training camp where he's finally healthy, but he also agreed with the belief Wilson and Gardner echoed that the Jets can reverse their disappointing trajectory from past seasons.
'It'd be great to stay with the team that drafted me,' Vera-Tucker said. 'I feel like everybody feels that way. … I can see this thing turning around, for sure, especially with Glenn, the type of coach he is. He praises physicality, but even more, like, accountability. I think that's very important for a head coach to do. That's something I haven't seen as much of in my career.'
Still, there are variables that need to align in order for Vera-Tucker's long-term deal to materialize. Season-ending injuries — a torn triceps and Achilles — derailed the former first-round pick's 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively.
3 Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker speaks to the media after practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ on July 24.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
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He dropped the classic training camp line of 'best I've ever felt coming off of an offseason,' but in Vera-Tucker's scenario, it might actually be a legitimate claim.
He finished 2024 as one of six guards with run- and pass-blocking grades higher than 74.0, according to Pro Football Focus, and logged all 916 of his snaps at right guard after needing to switch positions in previous seasons.
3 Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) blocks during practice at training camp on July 24.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
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This year, though, the Jets' roles on the line are more solidified.
They invested two more first-round selections to land both of their tackles in Olu Fashanu (2024) and Armand Membou (2025), and the trio will be tasked with helping protect Justin Fields — who exited Thursday's practice with a right toe injury — or Tyrod Taylor, who will take the first-team reps until Fields returns.
'We want the responsibility on our shoulders,' Vera-Tucker said. 'We want to run the ball. We want to be dominant in the trenches, like any other offensive line. But I think when you put together an O-line like this, you gotta take advantage of that opportunity. You don't see many teams invest in the O-line like we have.'
3 Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) and offensive tackle Armand Membou (70) practice at training camp.
Bill Kostroun/New York Post
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Throughout most of Vera-Tucker's career, the Jets' line has been in shambles, but for once, the group — with Vera-Tucker as the anchor — has a chance to be a strength.
And if Glenn and Vera-Tucker get their wish, he'll become the next piece of Gang Green's long-term future.
'He's one of those guards that can do a lot as far as run off the ball for us, pass protect,' Glenn said. 'He's a big, strong man that has been critical for how we want to play offensive football.'
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