In stunning news as Buccaneers training camp nears, defensive tackle Vita Vea has requested a trade, agent Collin Roberts announced (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). Vea is expected to report for camp, but it is unclear if he will participate, according to Garafolo.
Vea’s trade request comes in the midst of a contract standoff between him and the team. The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the last season of a four-year, $71MM deal, but he and the Buccaneers have not come close to another extension this summer. While the 31-year-old Vea wants a long-term pact, talks with Tampa Bay have stalled, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Vea, a career-long member of the Buccaneers, joined the organization as the 12th overall pick in the 2018 draft. The former Washington standout quickly turned into a full-time starter and one of the game’s top interior defensive line presences. Injuries have limited Vea in six of his eight seasons, including the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl-winning 2020 campaign (he played just five games then). When healthy, though, Vea has piled up 79 quarterback hits, 48 tackles for loss and 35 sacks over 112 games and 107 starts.
The 6-foot-4, 347-pound Vea put together his second full season in 2025 and continued to post terrific production. He notched 34 tackles, including seven TFL, with 13 QB hits and 4.5 sacks. Vea also amassed the seventh-most pressures at his position (51), according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the league’s 18th-best interior D-lineman among 127 qualifiers.
Vea is on track to earn $18MM in 2026, though none of his $17MM salary is guaranteed. Since last season ended, Vea has seen multiple D-tackles earn massive raises. Having signed a record-breaking extension worth $105.8MM (including $100MM in guarantees) over three years, the Titans’ Jeffery Simmons is the prime example. The Bengals’ Dexter Lawrence also cashed in (one year, $28MM), albeit on a shorter and far less expensive commitment. Simmons and Lawrence are among 14 D-tackles averaging at least $20MM, per Over the Cap. Vea at least has a case to join that group, though it may not come in a Buccaneers uniform.
In addition to having to map out Vea’s future, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht also has to figure out how to proceed with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Also scheduled to reach the open market in 2027, Mayfield has indicated he will cut off contract negotiations at the beginning of camp and play the season without an extension.
Vea, Mayfield and the rest of the Bucs’ veterans are due to report Tuesday. Showing up will enable Vea to avoid fines, but he held in during mandatory minicamp and could do the same in training camp.
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