Alijah Vera-Tucker's future plans were never with the Jets

If you were up late last night, you probably got hit with the gut punch that former New York Jets first-round pick Alijah Vera-Tucker would be taking his services to the hated rival New England Patriots.

It's a three-year, $42 million deal, with the opportunity for it to jump up to $48 million if he hits certain incentives, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It reportedly came down to New England and the Jets' crosstown rival, the New York Giants, in the Vera-Tucker bidding war.

ESPN's Rich Cimini said after the fact that the Jets never showed a "strong interest" in retaining their 2021 first-round pick, specifically because of his lengthy injury history. But it's possible New York never had a chance to sign him in the first place.

Alijah Vera-Tucker wanted a change of scenery from the Jets

The New York Post's Brian Costello was asked why he thought the former USC standout wasn't retained before the start of free agency. As it turns out, Vera-Tucker was just ready to move on.

"Yeah, he doesn't want to be here...You know, I've heard AVT really wants to change the scenery. He feels like he's just had bad luck after bad luck after bad luck with the Jets, and he kind of wants to change his juju a little bit...What I've heard is he's just kind of tired of the injuries and feels like he needs a new place to play."

Brian Costello

It's an understandable thought process from the Jets' No. 14 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft; he's had some tough runs in New York. Three of his five seasons have ended with season-ending injuries.

But the Patriots? You're going to make Jets fans sick. If he had signed with the Giants, no fan would've batted an eye (in all likelihood). Instead, he chose to go to a hated division rival and will probably want to stick it to his old team twice a year.

Regardless, what's done is done, and the Jets have no choice now but to pivot in a new direction. They have a gaping hole on their offensive line in the wake of both Vera-Tucker and John Simpson departing for greener pastures, and will have to be creative in filling that final spot.