Vita Vea has requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after negotiations over a new contract failed to produce an agreement.
The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle’s agent, Collin Roberts, confirmed the request to multiple reporters Monday, one day before Tampa Bay’s veteran players were scheduled to report for training camp.
Vea is entering the final season of the four-year, $71 million extension he signed in 2022. The 31-year-old is due a $17 million base salary in 2026, but none of that money is guaranteed. He can also earn up to $1 million through per-game roster bonuses.
The contract dispute had already carried into the Buccaneers’ offseason program. Vea attended mandatory minicamp in June but did not participate in practices, allowing him to avoid fines while continuing to push for an extension.
Coach Todd Bowles said at the time that Vea was healthy and described the hold-in as “part of the business” side of the league.
It is unclear whether Vea will take part in training camp while Tampa Bay weighs its response to the request.
Vea remained one of the most important pieces of the Buccaneers’ defense last season, starting all 17 games and recording 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. His presence in the middle has helped Tampa Bay consistently rank among the NFL’s stronger teams against the run.
The Buccaneers selected the 6-foot-4, 347-pound lineman with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has totaled 256 tackles, 35 sacks and 79 QB hits in 112 games (107 starts) over eight seasons.
Vea also helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV and earned Pro Bowl selections following the 2021 and 2024 seasons.
His request creates another major contract issue for the Buccaneers as camp begins. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is also entering the final year of his deal and has been seeking an extension, though he participated fully during minicamp.
Tampa Bay can reject Vea’s request and require him to play out the season, continue trying to reach an extension or explore a trade for one of the league’s most established interior defenders.
