Buccaneers DT Vita Vea Sleeper Trade Candidate?

The two sides were at odds over Vea’s contract this summer. Tampa Bay ended up reaching a compromise with Vea that included a raise and a one-year extension through 2027, but didn’t include significant long-term commitment. 

With the Buccaneers struggling and perhaps not viewing Vea as a long-term part of their plans, Graziano notes it would make sense if other teams that need help at defensive tackle inquired. 

To be clear, Graziano is speculating and not reporting anything here, but it’s an interesting idea nonetheless. There were teams that were interested in trading for Vea this summer, but the Buccaneers rebuffed them because they expected to win the division. 

Vea, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2018 out of Washington. The Buccaneers picked up Vea’s fifth-year option which cost them $7.638 million fully guaranteed for the 2022 season.

He later signed a four-year, $71 million extension with Tampa Bay. He was set to earn a base salary of 17 million in 2026, the final year of that deal, when he held out for most of training camp.

The two sides later agreed to a compromise, with the Buccaneers signing Vea to a one-year, $30 million extension. Vea has a $23 million guaranteed base salary in 2027.  

In 2026, Vea has appeared in six games for the Buccaneers and recorded 13 total tackles and two pass deflections. 

We’ll have more ahead of the trade deadline as the news is available.