Vita Vea requests trade from Buccaneers as contract talks stall
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea has asked Tampa Bay for a trade after negotiations on a new contract reached an impasse.
Defensive tackle Vita Vea told his agent that he wants to be traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after discussions on extending his current deal failed, the agent said to ESPN on Monday. Vea, 31, is entering the final year of a four-year, $71 million contract that pays him $17 million this season with no guaranteed money and a per-game roster bonus capped at $1 million.
Coach Todd Bowles previously downplayed the situation, describing the hold-in at the mandatory minicamp as "part of the business." Veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield, also in the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract, is seeking his own extension but attended minicamp fully and said negotiations are far from concluded.
Vea appeared in all 17 games last season, recording 4.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and 34 tackles, bringing his career total to 35 sacks over eight seasons since being drafted 12th overall in 2018. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and 2024. Veteran players are set to report to training camp on Tuesday.