Contract issues are the Buccaneers’ most visible challenges in this year’s training camp. While Baker Mayfield has all but accepted the uncertainty awaiting him at the end of the 2026 season, defensive tackle Vita Vea has yet to truly join the team in their preparation for the season, despite his presence at One Buc Place. While Vea and his representatives are waging a loud battle in the court of public opinion, Tampa Bay has the right idea to sit back and let Vea’s scenario play out without opening their wallets.
There is no question Vea has been very good for the Bucs over his 10-year career. He is top-ten in Bucs franchise history in both sacks and tackles for a loss. He will likely remain a valuable contributor to whatever defensive line he plays for in 2027.
The problem Vea faces in his trade demand is his lack of upside. He will be 32 during the 2027 season, an age well beyond prime defensive tackle performance and compensation. While players like Quinnen Williams and Zach Allen are set to earn north of $20 million over the next few seasons, both are younger than Vea, and neither is due any guaranteed money in their age-31 season.
Of the five defensive tackles over the age of 30 and averaging at least $20 million per year, four have recorded more sacks than Vea since 2023 in fewer or the same number of games. Only Chris Jones and DeForest Buckner are due guaranteed money beyond their age-31 seasons.
Since 2015, a defensive tackle over the age of 30 has recorded more sacks than Vea’s career-high seven in 2024 just five times: Cameron Heyward (2021, 2022), Aaron Donald (2023), Leonard Williams (2025) and Chris Jones (2025). There are 21 defensive tackles on NFL rosters older than Vea, and only seven have contracts extending past the 2026 season, none beyond 2027. There just isn’t much evidence to believe that Vea will be worth the raise he is seeking.
This diminishes what little trade leverage Vea has. He will not be able to sit out the season, nor will he want to given the distinct possibility that he will earn less in a subsequent contract than the $17 million he is due this season and the need to prove his continued effectiveness at age 31.
What Tampa Bay could do to smooth things over with Vea at least for this season is guarantee his remaining salary. It is apparent the Bucs have every intention of keeping him on the roster and still would not prevent them from exploring a trade later. It may even spur movement on a short-term extension.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Vita Vea cannot wait out the Bucs on a trade right now
Reporting by Jason Kanno, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jason Kanno, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
