(Allegedly) Vita Vea Has A “Tweaked” Back
July 29th, 2026
“We’re all on script, Coach.”
Joe loves the gamesmanship.
Vita “Trade Me” Vea, the Buccaneers’ manbeast defensive tackle, didn’t practice today during Day 1 of training camp. He did, however, stand on the field and watch. He also grabbed a blocking pad at one point to assist in a drill.
After practice, Todd Bowles said Vea came to camp in great shape and ran well after reporting for duty yesterday. The Bucs typically have a conditioning test when players report for the season. But during that run, per Bowles, Vea tweaked his back.
Bowles did not say Vea was injured. All he said was Vea tweaked his back. That doesn’t mean he didn’t feel 100 percent last night.
It smells to Joe that Vea and the Bucs have agreed to report publicly Vea’s tweaked back while they try to trade him and not fine Vea for refusing to practice. (And perhaps the Bucs are sending wink emojis to teams inquiring about Vea.)
Joe would love to see Vea in a Bucs uniform this season, but Joe is not counting on it.
Bucs NT Vita Vea tweaked his back yesterday and Todd Bowles says Vita was prepared to practice.
Vita wants a new deal.
He just watched today. pic.twitter.com/vAcfLxuepE— rock riley (@realrockriley) July 29, 2026
July 29th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Not being traded. If that happens there’s no point in watching this year.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:04 am
The NFL is a soap opera for fat guys. Enjoy the show!!!!
July 29th, 2026 at 11:06 am
“C’mon dad, can you please raise my allowance?”
July 29th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Quite the coincidence ain’t it
Did he tweak something OR “tweak something”
On the topic, but aside, I go to PFT for some quick around the league headlines today and it’s hold out this, hold in this, player wants a new contract, but is still on a previous contract he signed….I’m curious to know the rate of increase over the last decade or 2 of hold outs and hold ins per given season.
The salary cap goes up every year with these players and more money is being made than ever and the amount of hold outs and hold ins has seemingly increased by a lot. Greed knows no bounds and it’s simply never enough.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:11 am
If Vea genuinely wants out Licht is most likely going to honor the request. Vita’s been a good soldier for eight seasons, and if the Bucs really don’t want to hand him $90M for 3 seasons or whatever he’s asking for – trading him to someone who will is inevitable. Get a deal done ASAP while his value is at it’s highest.
I love the guy, but most DT’s don’t age like fine wine. He could be an exception to the rule – but the risk of giving him a top 5 contract is large.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:11 am
I have a speed dial on my phone for bulls***. I’m gonna go call it now.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:13 am
2025. Injuries and horrible backups.
2026. Contract distractions.
Licht is responsible for this. Fire him!
July 29th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Why say anything about his back since they don’t have to during training camp?
July 29th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Lol! He needs to take the Evans Express! Out with the old in with the new!
July 29th, 2026 at 11:28 am
SUHITIS!
July 29th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Ide hurt myself too ,if I had to listen to that stuff working out..After last year they need to practice in silence! Ugh!
July 29th, 2026 at 11:48 am
😂 ok.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:55 am
It’s unbelievable how teams and players (allegedly) lie to us yet expect unconditional loyalty from fans. Especially when run-of-the-mill players now have annual salaries which are more than most of us could ever spend in our lifetime.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Without Vea Todd is doomed, Calijah Kancey will be out for the season by week 2. We have no cornerback depth. BM21 is a bust. McCollum is bored, AWJ will be a ghost. The only players on defense that will put in effort are Bain, Scott, Parish, Anzalone, Diaby. The rest will loaf.
July 29th, 2026 at 11:57 am
sounds to me like they are working out a deal lol…i expect a deal to be done next monday
GO BUCS!!!!
July 29th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
Like I said yesterday – mysterious soft tissue injury. Warming up for time in the tub with his buddy Kancey. Probably needs to go pick out some T-shirts for the sideline.
July 29th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
He needs to pass a team’s physical to get traded right?
July 29th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Surprise surprise. VV50 is not practicing because if he gets hurt during practice his trade value goes down!
July 29th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
This is such a drama queen. At least we know Mayfield will show up like he did last season, as injured each time as he was.
July 29th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
Joe, I hope you’re right about conjuring up an injury so he can sit out fine free while the trade offers are vetted. He needs to go.
July 29th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
We have quite a few guys who should be decent DTs. What we don’t have are corners. Maybe we can trade him for a corner.
July 29th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
I agree with the sentiment. Yeah, I’ll actually watch, but if this roster has any chance of making the playoffs then it won’t happen without Vea.
July 29th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Cannot blame him a bit
VV has earned his raise
VV has better stats than Jalen Carter over the last 3 seasons
Carter just signed for 38 mil per-Do you see?
July 29th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
I’m way more concerned with getting a Baker deal done than worrying about this right now. It’s selfish for Vita to pull this right now, especially when Baker is being a total professional about the situation and participating at camp.
Also, Baker is a far more valuable asset to this team right now than Vita. I said it to all the complainers and whiners last year. Who else can lead this team right now and give us the best chance of winning other than Bake? His stats are pretty damn good on paper compared to the rest of the league. Prioritizing Baker is a must. I would love Vita to stay, but right now, we can find a serviceable nose tackle sooner than we can find a quality QB. GO BUCS!!!
July 29th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
VV was the best player on a horrible defense. And he plays part time and not every down. Time to get max value for him in a trade and also bring in a CB since we know Morrison and Zyon are unreliable at best. After this coming season, Bucs are still going to need LBs, CBs and DTs. So stock up on picks and save the money to give to Baker.
July 29th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Baker wants a new contract…but will prove it on the field and not let his teammates down…Vita wants a new contract and demands a trade and is “watching ” his teammates bust their humps in the heat to win a championship! They are not the same , and another reason Baker is a Godsend after Brady and deserves his money and the accolades that come with being a Pro