Conflicting updates emerge about Buccaneers, Vita Vea contract standoff

On Tuesday afternoon, NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN shared that he doesn't think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "are looking to trade" disgruntled defensive tackle Vita Vea amid a contract standoff involving the two sides that has dragged on into the preseason. 

Schefter also teased that the Buccaneers and Vea could come to terms on a contract extension at some point "in the coming weeks." Later on Tuesday, NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport suggested that the Buccaneers and Vea aren't close to putting pen to paper on a deal. 

Buccaneers, Vita Vea have not gone "down the road" toward a possible extension?

"It certainly seems like he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers really have not gotten off the ground with any talks of a possible extension," Rapoport explained, per the JoeBucsFan website. "My understanding is they really didn’t go down the road at all to a possible extension."

Vea is on track to enter the final season of a four-year, $71M contract extension he signed in 2022. Earlier in August, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht insisted that he had "no plans on trading Vita." That said, a report from last week named the Buffalo Bills, 
San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears among potential landing spots for the 31-year-old. 

Todd Bowles gives update on Vita Vea's practice status

Vea has not been an active participant in summer practices after he supposedly tweaked his back during the team's conditioning test at the beginning of training camp. On Tuesday, Jenna Laine of ESPN noted that "the clock is ticking for a resolution, although sources close to the situation indicate there has been no movement" regarding the Vea matter. Also on Tuesday, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles was asked about when Vea could potentially resume practicing. 

"We'll probably talk next week. We'll probably talk next week," Bowles responded. "Right now, everything is ongoing."

The Buccaneers will open the regular season with a matchup at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 13. While Schefter seems to think that Vea will be on the Tampa Bay roster when the campaign gets underway, it seems like negotiations between the player's camp and the Buccaneers could continue into September.