Seven players across the active rosters, practice squads, and reserve lists for Sunday’s AFC East showdown have all worn both New England Patriots and New York Jets colors during their NFL careers. Seriously, you’ve got dudes on both sides who know what it’s like in the other locker room, and that just amps up the intensity for this Week 6 matchup at Gillette Stadium. This isn’t just about the standings; it’s about bragging rights for these guys who’ve seen both sides of the division rivalry.
Patriots Alums Making Noise for the Jets
First up, let’s look at the former Patriots now rocking the green and white. Andrew Beck, the fullback, came into the league undrafted in 2019 with Foxborough, only to get waived at the 53-man roster deadline after his rookie training camp. Classic, right? The Texas Longhorns product got picked up by the Denver Broncos that Labor Day weekend, and since then, he’s played in 92 games, with 24 starts. This 30-year-old even got the NFL’s Salute to Service Award. He’s put up 31 receptions for 259 yards, five touchdowns, and even chipped in with one rushing score. Beck found his way back to the AFC East in 2025 as a futures signing after stints with the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. He’s a familiar face for sure.
Then there’s offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. He signed a one-year deal with the Patriots but got released before the 2025 league year even opened. Rough. He played just 12 snaps on the blindside in his only New England start before getting replaced and placed on the left squad list. He ended up reverting to the reserves for the rest of that 4-13 campaign after the club’s roster exemption expired. Now he’s with the Jets, signing consecutive one-year pacts. He’s played in 19 games for them, with a wild 62 of his 63 downs coming on special teams, specifically in the kicking game. This 29-year-old was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round back in 2018 at No. 92 overall. Overall, he’s got 97 games and 60 starts under his belt.
Jets Veterans Now Flying High With New England
Flipping the script, the Patriots have snagged some former Jets who are absolutely crushing it. Morgan Moses, the offensive tackle, was voted a team captain straight out of training camp. How’s that for making an impact? Since joining on a three-year contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2025, he’s played a massive 1,349 offensive snaps for the Pats. This 35-year-old right tackle has started all 22 regular season games over that stretch. Drafted in the third round in 2014 out of Virginia, Moses has 188 appearances and 180 starts to his name, with previous stops in Washington and Baltimore. Get this, he’s been a Jet twice, first in 2021 and then circling back in 2024 via trade. He racked up 30 starts during those previous tours in the division, so he knows this rivalry deeply.
And then there’s Alijah Vera-Tucker, the guard, who the Patriots landed on a three-year agreement when NFL free agency kicked off in March. This veteran addition has started all five contests at left guard this fall, playing 100 perfect of the workload for the offensive line. He’s literally the team’s last ironman at this point in October. Vera-Tucker was a first-round pick for the Jets in the 2021 draft, going No. 14 overall, and he appeared in 43 out of a possibl. His impact in New England has been immediate and critical.
So, when these two teams hit the field this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, it’s not just a division game; it’s a reunion, a proving ground for guys who crossed enemy lines. It’s going to be a battle to see which former player shines brightest against their old teammates and which squad can take command early in the division. You won’t want to miss a snap of these guys going head-to-head.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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