Buccaneers' Vita Vea makes feelings on Todd Bowles clear after accepting extension

It was learned on Wednesday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and disgruntled defensive tackle Vita Vea had come to terms on a one-year extension following a contract standoff that had run through the start of the preseason.   

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Vea was asked "what went wrong last season" for the Buccaneers as the club went from 6-2 to 8-9 en route to missing the playoffs. During his response, Vea voiced strong support for often-criticized head coach Todd Bowles. 

Vita Vea, Buccaneers players "love" Todd Bowles

"There’s a bunch of stuff," Vea said, per the JoeBucsFan website. "I feel like I kind of want to set the record straight. I feel like [there is] a lot of stuff going on about Bowles. I feel like none of it is Bowles' fault. I feel like we all love Bowles, the players in the locker room. So that’s one thing I want to set the record straight at. We all love Bowles."

The perception exists that Bowles is entering the upcoming season on the hot seat even though he guided the Buccaneers to division titles across his first three seasons in charge. In total, he has thus far accumulated a lackluster regular-season record of 35-33 with Tampa Bay, and the Bucs have gone 1-3 in postseason play under his watch. 

Realistically, the Buccaneers could part ways with both Bowles and starting quarterback Baker Mayfield next year if the club fails to notch at least one playoff win in January. Vea clearly believes Bowles is the right man to return the franchise to winning ways. 

Vita Vea will only play for Buccaneers if Todd Bowles is their head coach?

"It’s not what he’s doing," Vea added about Bowles. "You know, he’s telling us what to do, giving us all the answers to the test, and it’s on us players to be able to go out there and excecute what he’s telling us to do. He’s always putting us in the best position to play. So, that’s one of the main things, is being able to take coaching. And in that light, if anything, blame us players for not executing. Bowles always puts us in the best position to win games. I even told Bowles, the day he retires is the day I retire." 

If nothing else, it sounds like Vea could look to play elsewhere in 2027 if the Buccaneers make a coaching change during or after the 2026 season.