With NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that Vita Vea’s absence from mandatory minicamp is contract-related, attention now shifts to what a new deal between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their star defensive tackle might actually look like.
While Vea remains one of the NFL’s premier defensive tackles, he’ll turn 32 during the 2027 season. That age factor is likely to play a significant role in negotiations and may prevent him from commanding the same kind of money as some of the league’s younger stars. Still, Vea has a strong case for a substantial raise. The current defensive tackle market is led by Chris Jones, who earns roughly $31.75 million per season, while Dexter Lawrence sits just below that at $28 million annually. Jordan Davis also landed a lucrative extension of his own, averaging almost $27 million per season.
Jones signed his latest extension entering his age-30 season, while Lawrence and Davis were considerably younger when they reached their deals. Vea, meanwhile, is entering his age-31 season and has accumulated significant wear and tear after eight NFL campaigns spent battling double teams in the middle of the defensive line. Rather than pushing for Jones-level money, Vea’s market may settle somewhere in the $24 million to $28 million per year range. That would still represent a significant increase from his current deal, which averages $17.75 million annually, while accounting for the realities of his age.
A realistic structure could be a three-year extension worth between $75 million and $84 million, averaging roughly $25 million to $28 million per season. That type of deal would allow Vea to remain among the league’s highest-paid defensive tackles without requiring Tampa Bay to commit to a lengthy contract that carries significant risk into his mid-30s. The guaranteed money will likely be the most important piece. Given Vea’s age, his camp may prioritize guarantees over total contract length.
A deal with a guaranteed range of $45 million to $55 million could provide the security he’s looking for while still giving the Buccaneers flexibility down the road.
From Tampa Bay’s perspective, there is a strong argument for getting something done sooner rather than later. Elite defensive tackles are difficult to find, and Vea remains the centerpiece of Todd Bowles’ defensive front. The Buccaneers also don’t have an obvious replacement waiting in the wings. While the team has invested in younger defensive linemen, none have demonstrated the ability to consistently command game plans the way Vea does.
The most likely outcome may be a contract that places Vea just below the elite Jones-Lawrence tier but firmly above the next group of veteran defensive tackles. Something in the neighborhood of 3 years and $80 million, with roughly $50 million guaranteed, feels like the sweet spot for both sides.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What could the next contract for Vita Vea look like with the Bucs?
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
