The New York Jets have a trade commodity on the team that no one is discussing.
NFL on FOX reporter Eric Williams revealed that league sources told him that a player who could be on the move is offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.
“Could command some interest around the league,” league sources told Williams.
Vera-Tucker will miss the entire 2025 season with a torn triceps.
“With the Jets struggling and in full rebuilding mode, the 26-year-old Vera-Tucker is scheduled to make $15.3 million in total compensation in the final year of his rookie contract. However, Vera-Tucker’s future with the team is cloudy after he suffered a season-ending torn triceps injury in September and has had trouble staying on the field during his time in New York,” Williams explained.
“With New York more focused on the future, the Jets could seek to get draft compensation in the form of 2026 picks now instead of waiting to move on from him at the end of the season and potentially receiving a 2027 compensatory pick once he moves on in free agency,” Williams added.
Wait… You Can Trade Injured NFL Players?
Yes, you can. It is rare, but it does happen.
For example, wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery this offseason. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed that the injury would knock him out for the entire 2025 season on August 21.
A few weeks later, on September 13, the New England Patriots traded the injured pass catcher and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
Do the Jets Want to Bring AVT Back?
The former USC product is scheduled to be a free agent in a couple of months.
Across his five years in the league, Vera-Tucker has been hurt a lot.
In three of his five seasons, he has suffered a season-ending injury. All in all, AVT will have missed 42 games due to injury in his career heading into 2026.
Vera-Tucker is talented, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Do the Jets want to hop back on that ride next season, whether it’s a one-year deal or for multiple seasons?
Does Vera-Tucker Even Want to Come Back?
For all those same reasons, Vera-Tucker could want a fresh start. Vera-Tucker’s career in New York has mostly been marked by losses and injuries.
AVT is going to be attractive to other NFL teams because of his youth, his upside, and that he plays on the offensive line.
The Jets could let things play out with AVT. Maybe they re-sign him, or maybe they don’t. If he joins another team, the only form of compensation they could potentially get is a future compensatory pick, but that is never guaranteed.
Jets Found a Suitable Replacement at Right Guard
When Vera-Tucker was lost for the year, the team was forced to pivot. They decided to reshuffle the offensive line, kicking Joe Tippmann to right guard and plugging in veteran Josh Myers at center.
NFL analyst Will Parkinson said on social media, “Joe Tippmann doesn’t get enough credit for how good he’s been this year. Have said for years I think he’s a better guard than [center], and he’s proven it this year. Think he’s been their best interior player and would like to see him and [Armand] Membou man up that right side for next 5+ years.”
“Whether it’s AVT, [John] Simpson, a draft pick or whoever they can take care of LG but Tipp should be anchored at RG for the foreseeable future. Good player and the film/data shows it clear as day. Been a good partner with Membou as well. Able to play with better leverage and no deal with snapping etc. he’s just playing ball and doing it at a really good level,” Parkinson argued.
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