When Alijah Vera-Tucker noticed the Jets’ 2024 schedule, he was joyful to see there gained’t be a visit to Denver this 12 months.
As an alternative, the Broncos are coming to MetLife Stadium. Vera-Tucker has suffered season-ending accidents in every of the final two seasons in Denver.
He’s in no rush to return to the Mile Excessive Metropolis.
“I might have informed Joe [Douglas] I’m not enjoying,” Vera-Tucker mentioned this month. “I’m glad they’re popping out right here this time.”
Vera-Tucker, 24, has been one of many Jets’ finest offensive linemen for the previous three seasons.
The issue has been he has solely been on the sector for 12 video games over the previous two seasons.
In 2022, his season ended with a torn triceps harm in Week 8.
Final season, it was a torn Achilles tendon in Week 5.
Each accidents got here in Denver and the Jets offensive line fell aside after dropping Vera-Tucker in each seasons.
The Jets took Vera-Tucker within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He instantly confirmed his talent because the beginning left guard as a rookie.
He then moved to proper guard in 2022 when the staff signed Laken Tomlinson.
Quickly, his full versatility was on show because the Jets performed him at left and proper sort out as a consequence of accidents to starters there.
Final season, he was at proper guard to start out the 12 months after which moved to proper sort out.
Whereas Vera-Tucker has proven he can play everywhere in the line, the Jets are fearful the leaping round could have led to his accidents. That’s the reason the plan in 2024 is to present him a place and preserve him there.
“We wish to get him at one spot,” Jets coach Robert Saleh mentioned the day after the season ended. “A number of causes to consider that a few of the accidents are due to … his curse is his capacity to maneuver from one spot to a different, proper? His versatility and unsure if that’s contributing to why he received damage the final two years.
“His first 12 months he performed one place and stayed wholesome the entire 12 months, so no matter we resolve, whether or not it’s left guard, proper guard, proper sort out, left sort out, we would like him to remain in that spot and by no means transfer via hell or excessive water, no matter harm, to present him the possibility to play and keep wholesome for 2024.”
What place Vera-Tucker finally ends up at stays to be seen. The Jets are revamping their offensive line this offseason.
They might take the method of placing Vera-Tucker within the spot that they don’t fill via free company or the draft.
In different phrases, in the event that they discover a guard they like and signal, Vera-Tucker may very well be the beginning proper sort out.
In the event that they discover a sort out they like, Vera-Tucker may very well be at guard.
Vera-Tucker mentioned he has no choice the place he performs.
“I used to be doing what I believed was finest for myself and the staff, as properly,” Vera-Tucker mentioned. “I used to be capable of present my versatility — present that I’m able to play guard and sort out. I’m joyful I did. If I may return now, I wouldn’t change a factor. I believe going into subsequent 12 months my mindset is basically what I wish to do is simply keep wholesome. That’s all I would like.”
The Jets should resolve whether or not to select up the fifth-year choice on Vera-Tucker by Could.
The accidents are the one cause to even take into account declining it, however the Jets will seemingly choose it up.
Vera-Tucker has been a uncommon vivid spot alongside the offensive line for the Jets when he’s been wholesome.
Vera-Tucker mentioned the medical doctors haven’t informed him when he shall be able to play once more, however he sounded inspired on the finish of the season.
He deliberate on taking over yoga and Pilates this offseason as a part of his exercise routine.
After two irritating seasons, Vera-Tucker is hoping for a wholesome 2024 and so are the Jets.
“My alternative will come. I do know it is going to,” Vera-Tucker mentioned. “All I’ve received to do is keep locked in and look ahead to my second and reap the benefits of it.”
The Jets employed Tony Dews as their new operating backs coach on Friday, in keeping with sources.
Dews involves the Jets from the Titans the place he was the tight ends coach final 12 months.
He had been the operating backs coach there from 2018-22, working with Derrick Henry.
The Jets let Taylor Embree go following the season.
They’d talked to Duce Staley, who joined the Browns, earlier than hiring Dews.
