The Jets expected to lose guard Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency. But they probably didn’t count on having to see him twice a year.
Vera-Tucker agreed to a three-year contract with the division rival Patriots late Monday night, according to the NFL Network. It is a three-year deal worth $42 million and worth up to $48 million, according to ESPN.
Vera-Tucker, 26, had an injury-plagued run with the Jets, but when he is healthy, he can be a very good player.
The Jets drafted Vera-Tucker in the first round in 2021. He played 16 games in that first season but suffered season-ending injuries in 2022, 2023 and 2025 that limited him to 43 games over five seasons.
A torn triceps suffered before Week 1 last year cost him the entire season.
The Jets need to find a guard after losing Vera-Tucker and John Simpson, who started every game at left guard last season. Simpson agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Ravens on Monday.
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It had been clear for a while that the Jets and Vera-Tucker were heading in different directions.
Both sides had a reluctance to get a deal done because of Vera-Tucker’s injury issues.
He was looking for a change of scenery and the team was reluctant to commit to a player who has struggled to stay on the field.
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