Jets just got another reminder why Alijah Vera-Tucker must be re-signed

The New York Jets suffered another humiliating loss on Sunday afternoon as they fell to the New Orleans Saints 29-6. Aaron Glenn and the Jets are now 3-12 on the season with just two games remaining.

A few of the many mistakes by the Jets on Sunday came in the form of seven penalties for 54 yards. Of the seven penalties, left guard John Simpson had his hand in on two killer mistakes.

The first came on a successful third-down quarterback sneak from Brady Cook, which was called back due to an illegal chop block on Simpson, ultimately forcing the Jets to punt a few plays later. In the third quarter, Simpson was called for a holding penalty on first down, and a few plays later, the Jets punted.

Unfortunately for the Jets and John Simpson, this wasn't just a one-game sample size. Penalties have been an issue for Simpson all season, and Sunday's mistakes have put him at eleven penalties in just 15 games this season.

Sunday's performance, as well as Simpson's overall play this season, is another reminder that the Jets should make it a priority to bring back Alijah Vera-Tucker in the offseason.

Jets must re-sign Alijah Vera-Tucker in the offseason

The problems with John Simpson haven't just come in the form of penalties this season; his overall play has taken a substantial step backward from what was a career year in 2024. It's been an alarming regression in a contract year for Simpson.

The veteran offensive lineman has posted a 56.5 Pro Football Focus grade, which is down from his career-high grade of 77.3 last season. Simpson's run blocking and pass blocking grades have also regressed after tallying career highs in both categories in 2024.

With two games remaining, Simpson has already allowed four sacks this season, which is the most he's ever allowed in a single season in his career. Simpson's 26 pressures allowed are also tied for the second most allowed in a season in his career.

After a huge season in year one of a two-year contract, the Jets were hoping for more of the same from Simpson, and unfortunately, that has been far from the case. When looking ahead, this down year from Simpson has only raised the importance of re-signing Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Entering the season, Vera-Tucker was slated to play a massive role in this revamped Jets offensive line, but before his or the Jets' season could even kick off, the 26-year-old offensive lineman suffered a season-ending torn triceps injury.

Unfortunately for the Jets and Vera-Tucker, this wasn't the first time a major injury has impacted his availability. The USC product previously suffered a torn triceps in 2022 and a torn Achilles tendon during the 2023 season.

Despite this, though, when Vera-Tucker is healthy, he is one of the better offensive linemen in football. In 15 games played during 2024, the former first-round pick tallied a career-high 77.7 Pro Football Focus grade. He also allowed just 16 pressures and eight QB hurries, which were good for third-fewest and second-fewest among guards that season.

The fifth-year guard also produced an impressive 2.75% pressure rate, which ranked fifth among 66 qualified guards.

There is no denying Vera-Tucker's injury history and the potential risks that come with re-signing him in the offseason. However, a one-year prove-it type of deal with incentives, while being able to add another low-cost veteran with versatility similar to Josh Myers, could be the best course of action.

John Simpson has regressed to the player he was before arriving in Florham Park last season. Retaining a younger and simply more talented player in Vera-Tucker, while potentially adding more quality depth at guard, is best for Darren Mougey, Aaron Glenn, and the Jets moving forward.