Browns Aggressively Pursued $42M Guard Before Patriots Deal

Cleveland missed out on signing Alijah Vera-Tucker, who agreed to a 3-year, $42M contract with New England.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Cleveland Browns reportedly made an aggressive push to sign free agent offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, but he ultimately agreed to a 3-year, $42 million deal with the New England Patriots. The Browns had been looking to overhaul their offensive line this offseason, having traded for Tytus Howard and signing Zion Johnson, but they missed out on Vera-Tucker.

Why it matters

The Browns' offensive line was a weakness last season, and they had vowed to overhaul the unit through free agency and the draft. Landing Vera-Tucker would have been a major coup, as he is considered one of the top guards in the NFL. His decision to join the Patriots is a setback for Cleveland's plans to improve their offensive line.

The details

After the first day of the legal tampering period, the Browns had only signed Zion Johnson to a 3-year, $49.5 million deal. However, they were also aggressively pursuing Vera-Tucker, who ended up agreeing to a 3-year, $42 million contract with the Patriots that can be worth up to $48 million. The Browns were one of several teams, including the Giants, that were in the mix for Vera-Tucker's services.

  • On March 10, 2026, Vera-Tucker agreed to terms with the Patriots.
  • The Browns had been pursuing Vera-Tucker during the initial free agency period.

The players

Alijah Vera-Tucker

A star offensive guard who agreed to a 3-year, $42 million contract with the New England Patriots.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns, who was overseeing the team's efforts to overhaul their offensive line this offseason.

Zion Johnson

An offensive guard who the Browns signed to a 3-year, $49.5 million contract.

Tytus Howard

An offensive tackle who the Browns traded for to address their needs on the offensive line.

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What they’re saying

“Good morning. Lots of moves overnight, including the Patriots agreeing to a three-year, $42 million deal that can be worth up to $48 million with former Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, per sources. The New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns were also aggressively in the mix.”

— Dianna Russini, NFL Insider, The Athletic (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Browns are still expected to address their offensive line further in the upcoming NFL Draft, where they hold two first-round picks.

The takeaway

The Browns' failure to land Alijah Vera-Tucker is a setback in their efforts to overhaul their offensive line, but they remain committed to improving the unit through free agency and the draft. The team's ability to build a strong offensive line will be crucial to their success in the 2026 season.