Jets preparing for complicated offensive line decision this offseason

One of the lone bright spots throughout the season for the New York Jets last year was their offensive line. All five starters played every game together and were an effective unit when their quarterbacks weren't holding the ball too long.

New York's most recent first-round picks, offensive tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, bookended the left and right tackle spots, while Joe Tippman held things down at right guard.

Tippman solidified himself as a high-upside option at guard after starting his career at center, and free-agent signee Josh Myers was an effective stopgap at center, even earning himself an extension for his steady play. But the only real question for the Jets heading into the offseason is who will be the long-term solution at left guard.

John Simpson has played well the last two seasons, but is set to be an unrestricted free agent. Alijah Vera-Tucker has shown Pro-Bowl upside when healthy, but that's just it. He can never stay healthy. Which player should get priority this offseason as the Jets look to finalize their offensive line?

Jets' must decide between Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson

Vera-Tucker was voted a team captain heading into the 2025 season, the final year of his rookie deal, but tore his triceps in training camp, leading to a late offensive line shuffle moving Tippman to guard and Myers to center.

Simpson has been the Jets' left guard for the last two seasons. The previous regime signed him to a two-year, $12 million contract in 2024, and he's been a solid player since. After a good 2024 season, Simpson regressed in 2025.

He had a decent season but gave up five sacks and was penalized 10 times throughout the year, second-most among all guards in the NFL.

There's quite a big risk-reward factor between both Simpson and Vera-Tucker heading into the offseason. Vera-Tucker is the more talented offensive lineman, but can he be relied on to start all 17 games?

Since the Jets traded up to select Vera-Tucker with the 14th overall pick in the 2021 draft, he's played in 43 of 85 possible games, missing time with an Achilles injury and a triceps tear in both arms.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt believes Vera-Tucker could be in line "for an incentive-laden, prove-it type of deal" given his checkered injury history. Despite that, Spotrac projects a four-year $51.3 million contract on the open market.

Simpson, on the other hand, was predicted to get a one-year, $6.3 million deal. If the Jets want to gamble on the better player, Vera-Tucker is the way to go. If they want consistency but not as high-level play, Simpson is the better option.

Either way, the Jets are likely to decide on either player before the start of free agency. With all of the other roster holes they have to solve, eliminating one is the best course of action.

We'll see how risky general manager Darren Mougey is willing to get this offseason with him and head coach Aaron Glenn's backs against the wall.