Vita Vea Present At Minicamp But Questions Remain

After missing the Buccaneers’ spring practices, Vita Vea was in attendance for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

While the veteran defensive tackle was present, he did not take part in practice. Instead, he remained on the sideline throughout the session.

Contract Situation Could Be A Factor

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Vea’s lack of participation is tied to his contract situation.

The nose tackle is entering the final season of his current deal. That has led to speculation about his future with the organization.

When asked about Vea’s status, head coach Todd Bowles downplayed the situation. He suggested there was little reason to evaluate the veteran during a practice without pads.

Bowles also noted that Vea is not dealing with an injury.

Current Deal Nearing Its End

Vea signed a four-year, $73 million extension with Tampa Bay in 2022.

At the time, the contract ranked among the most valuable deals at the position. Since then, the market has changed considerably.

His average annual salary of $17.75 million now sits outside the top 15 among interior defenders. With Vea set to play his age-31 season in 2026, securing a major jump in value could be difficult.

An extension, however, would provide the long-term security that he currently lacks.

Production Has Remained Consistent

The former first-round pick has continued to perform at a high level throughout his contract.

Pro Football Focus has consistently graded him among the top players at his position. Last season, the outlet ranked him 18th among 127 qualifying interior defenders.

Vea finished the year with 34 stops and 4.5 sacks.

Buccaneers Still Depend On Vea

Tampa Bay will once again count on Vea to anchor the defensive front.

The Buccaneers lost Logan Hall in free agency after he signed with the Texans. Calijah Kancey is expected to return from injury.

The team also added free agent A’Shawn Robinson to the defensive line rotation.

Tampa Bay selected DeMonte Capehart in the fifth round of this year’s draft. Outside of that move, the Buccaneers have done little to address the long-term future of the nose tackle position.