The New England Patriots bolstered their offensive line Monday night, agreeing to a three-year, $42 million deal with the versatile but injury-plagued Alijah Vera-Tucker, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Strengthening the unit in front of quarterback Drake Maye was expected to be a focus of the reigning AFC champions, and adding Vera-Tucker accomplishes that. He could slot into left guard for the team, between tackle Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, if the latter moves to center in the wake of Garrett Bradbury being traded to the Chicago Bears.
Vera-Tucker, drafted 14th in 2021, earned $15.3 million last season on his fifth-year option with the New York Jets. The Jets were so high on him as a prospect that they traded up in the first round -- an unusual move for a player whose natural position isn't tackle.
His career has been defined by unusual versatility and devastating injuries.
Vera-Tucker (6-foot-5, 308 pounds) has started at every position on the offensive line except center -- 20 games at right guard, 16 at left guard, six at right tackle and one at left tackle. Early in his career, there was talk of making him a full-time tackle, but he eventually settled in at guard -- specifically, right guard over the past two seasons.
But he has struggled to stay on the field. He has suffered three major injuries in five years -- a torn Achilles and torn triceps (both arms). He has missed one full season (2025) and large chunks in two others (2022, '23). All told, he has played in only 43 out of 85 games, making him a big risk/big reward free agent.
Vera-Tucker was looking forward to a big year in 2025, when he was elected a captain for the first time, but he tore a triceps in practice during the run-up to the season opener. When healthy, he's considered an above-average run blocker who can adapt to any scheme. In 2024, he finished with the third-best pressure rate among right guards, per Next Gen Stats.
ESPN's Rich Cimini contributed to this report.
