Two Jets Offensive Players Enter Telltale Season for Fifth-Year Option

Next spring, Gang Green must decide whether to exercise extra year for QB Zach Wilson and OG Alijah Vera-Tucker

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This year, it was Mekhi Becton.

Next year, the New York Jets will have two decisions to make regarding fifth-year rookie contract options.

Quarterback Zach Wilson and offensive lineman Alijah-Vera Tucker, both Round 1 selections from the 2021 NFL Draft, will come up for discussion next spring. Depending upon the franchise's decision, the 2024 campaign could turn into a contract year for the two players.

Wilson and Vera-Tucker will hope to receive a better result than Becton, who saw Gang Green decline to pick up his fifth-year option earlier this spring.

Although the Jets are probably leaning toward a certain choice, each of the two players will have the opportunity to impress team brass in the months ahead.

Wilson will be battling uphill due to the fact his backup quarterback status limits the number of reps he'll receive throughout the season. Meanwhile, as long as he's healthy, Vera-Tucker will be amongst the Jets' starting five offensive linemen in 2023.

Realistically, however, the $23 million price tag associated a quarterback's fifth-year option ends the Wilson debate for it even starts. With salary cap constraints to live by, no fiscally-sane NFL team is paying that much money for a second stringer. 

Although the fifth-year option likely isn't an option, the Jets have been outspoken about their investment in Wilson's development moving forward.

"From a personal standpoint, it’s very humbling to be in his shoes right now, but at the same time, the way he’s attacked it, his demeanor, his personality, the attitude at which he’s done it, he’s been very positive through this whole thing," said third-year head coach Robert Saleh about the former No. 2 overall draft pick who is now listed as the team's No. 2 quarterback.

Veteran starter Aaron Rodgers addressed his relationship with Wilson and his role in the third-year player's future.

"Just been in my hip pocket learning, ton of questions in the locker room, in the meeting room, after hours," said Rodgers after the final OTAs practice. "But I love that because I feel like that’s a big part of my role here is to not just play at a super high level for this team and help us win, but to make sure he’s ready when his time comes."

Learning alongside Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, Wilson has shown signs of improvement throughout the spring at organized team activities.

"His overall footwork and his demeanor and how relaxed he is at throwing the football. He’s a lot more accurate," said Saleh.

The Jets are likely leaning toward a yes response when it comes to exercising Vera-Tucker's fifth-year option. The USC product has been both effective and versatile over his first 23 games in the NFL and he's viewed as a core piece of the offense for the foreseeable future.

Vera-Tucker started at guard and tackle in 2022 before losing the last 10 weeks of the season due to a pectoral injury.

Already back at practice after surgery, the 6-foot-5 fleet-footed lineman projects as the starting right guard in 2023.

"We think he’s an All-Pro caliber right guard, and I think he can be a heck of a tackle too, but he is an elite guard. Somewhere where we would love to keep him," said Saleh at the NFL Owners' Meetings in late March.

Vera-Tucker, the No. 14 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, was the Jets' starting left guard as a rookie. He flipped to the right side to accommodate the signing of Laken Tomlinson in 2022, but also had to kick out to tackle for an injury-ravaged offensive line.

"You can assume AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker] is the best right guard," said Saleh while responding to a question about offseason competition on the offensive line.

Earlier this spring, Sports Illustrated's Matthew Verderame examined next year's fifth-year option candidates for all 32 NFL teams. 

From "Evaluating Which NFL Players Will Have Fifth-Year Options Picked Up for 2024":

— New York Jets —

Zach Wilson (NO), Alijah Vera-Tucker (YES)

It’s impossible to make a case for Wilson to stay past four seasons. He’s been awful, yanked for Mike White and Joe Flacco, and now replaced by Aaron Rodgers. As for Vera-Tucker, the Jets found a quality guard whose only issue has been durability, missing 11 games throughout his first two seasons.

— Matthew Verderame

In a class that includes more than a few Pro Bowlers already, it’s likely that a good number of 2021 fifth-year options will be picked up@MattVerderame breaks it down by team ✍️ https://t.co/IG0Nrc6lf4

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) May 26, 2023

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