Buccaneers’ Star DT Requests Trade

So this just happened. Buccaneers’ Defensive Tackle Vita Vea and his agent seem to be getting frustrated with the progress being made on his new deal. Most of the focus for the upcoming season has been on Baker’s extension.

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But Vea is also seeking a new deal as his expires next year. There hasn’t been any word yet on what Vita wants in his new deal. I can make a few educated guesses based upon the current market. His current deal has him getting $17.7 million a year. Spotrac has him valued somewhere around what Dexter Lawrence and Zach Allen are getting (so between $25-$28 million).

The difference between those guys is that they are a few years younger than Vita. He is currently 31 and while he has yet to show any sort of downturn yet, at the age he is at, it wouldn’t be unexpected he might slow down.

Regardless of any potential slowing down, he is still a valuable asset to the defensive line. He had 4.5 sacks last year and is a big reason why the defense wasn’t more of a mess. I would be shocked if the team were to seriously entertain offers for trades.

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There’s no one really on the team that could replace him. At least, long-term. Calijah Kancey is a great player in his own right, but he is not on the team to do the same thing Vita does. Maybe you could say A’Shawn Robinson, but no one can say with a straight face he is half as good as Vita.

This I think is almost purely about money. I see plenty of people suggesting this is about not wanting to be with Bowles, but I think he just is trying to force the team to make a deal happen.

While I would be curious what teams would offer him, no way would it offset what we lose. He is just too valuable for the team. Hell, the whole damn d-line is built around his abilities. I don’t think he’s going anywhere this season. Whether or not he is here next year is another question entirely. Next year they would at least be in a better position to replace him through the draft. But he plans on being here for training camp. I hope the team gets a deal done, but I would assume most the focus is still on Baker.