Potentially no player was more valuable to the 2022 New York Jets than do-it-all offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.
His first of many selfless position changes for this Jets football team took place last offseason. He made the move from left guard to right guard, where he went on to start the first three games of the year. Then, in a two-week span, Vera-Tucker changed sides and positions to left tackle, followed by yet another immediate move to right tackle.
Not only did Vera-Tucker give the Jets a team-first attitude, but elite-level play.
His dominance as a run blocker accelerated, and he showed the needed step as a terrific pass protector, over 432 snaps, allowing just one sack per PFF.
When the Jets lost Vera-Tucker to a torn triceps injury and Breece Hall to an ACL in Week 7, they were 5-2. It is well-documented how much the Jets struggled without them, going 2-8 to finish the year.
New York Jets OL Alijah Vera-Tucker speaks on plan for offseason:
Vera-Tucker said that he is “doing really well” with his rehab. He was asked if he anticipates being ready to go through the full offseason program with his elbow and stated the following.
“Yeah. The training staff here, they got a good program for me, going on. So, you know, majority of the offseason just getting right. Doing what I can do to get back healthy, 100%.” He was later asked about a timetable for a return and shared this, “But like I said, I’ll be 100% in camp, ready to go, no issues.”
He expressed that missing so much time with the team flourishing was “really tough” for him. Vera-Tucker did say that mentally he is “good” and that he is “just ready to get back, ASAP.” Music to the ears of every Jets fan.
Near the end of his interview, Vera-Tucker also stated, “I feel like we’re all just looking forward to next year because we know this team can do it.”
The return of Vera-Tucker will undeniably be paramount for this Jets team to reach the heights it expects next season.
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