The AFC champion New England Patriots bolstered their offensive line by agreeing with guard Alijah Vera-Tucker on a 3-year, $42 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on Wednesday.
Vera-Tucker was the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the New York Jets. He started 43 games
at both guard spots in four seasons and should help improve an offensive line that allowed six sacks in New England’s 29-13 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl last month.
The Patriots opened the free agency period by addressing one of their top defensive priorities this offseason, agreeing to a deal with edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones.
Jones is getting a three-year, $39.5 million deal, two people told the AP. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn’t been finalized.
The 29-year-old Jones is entering his eighth NFL season. This will be his fifth team. He spent the first nine games of last season with the Tennessee Titans before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens, where he also played in nine games.
Jones finished the season with a combined seven sacks, a career high. The Patriots had only 35 sacks last season, finishing tied for 22nd.
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AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this report.
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