Ndamukong Suh Blasts Bucs’ Negotiation Style
July 27th, 2026
Vita Vea’s good friend Ndamukong Suh is publicly shaming the Bucs for their handling of a potential Vea contract extension that has resulted in Vea requesting a trade.
Poor Vea, the guy is in line to earn $18 million this season.
What a hardship. Vea signed the damn contract three-plus years ago.
Suh is a future Hall of Fame player and was a stud for the Bucs (2019-2021). He also was known for negotiating his own contracts and advising players. He and Vea are close. They train together and Vea was on Suh’s podcast last season talking mostly about money and opportunity.
Suh took to social media tonight (video below) to blast the Bucs without the courage to name Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht or even say the word “Bucs.” He’s seen speaking with an image of Vea behind him.
Joe would call that “cowardly,” especially for a guy like Suh who has worked as an analyst for Sky Sports NFL in the United Kingdom. Perhaps Vea’s “big girl” nickname for Suh is appropriate.
In short, Suh complains the Bucs waited too long to communicate clearly with Vea.
Never understood why teams do this. pic.twitter.com/dJshIfvFhh
— Ndamukong Suh (@NdamukongSuh) July 28, 2026
July 27th, 2026 at 10:12 pm
Shut up Suh! Vea is still under contrac! Unfortunately VV has no leverage, he’s on the wrong side of 30. He will be missed if traded, but at some point the team needs to get younger.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:13 pm
“Joe would call that “cowardly,” especially for a guy like Suh who has worked as an analyst for Sky Sports NFL in the United Kingdom. Perhaps Vea’s “big girl” nickname for Suh is appropriate.”
It’s more PC than it is cowardly; Suh is talking as a businessman who used to be a really good football player, not the other way around. This clip isn’t for provocation, it lines up with what he’s been talking about in terms of finance and players managing their $$$ on all types of platforms. This isn’t Monday Night Raw man, Suh isn’t cutting an opening promo trying to drum up heat. Wouldn’t be smart, and Suh is a pretty smart guy.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
They are acting like Vea has no salary for this season and he would be playing for free without a new deal.
This is stupid, but I still think we should do whatever we can to sign Vea.
He’s too important for this franchise to let him go. 💯
July 27th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
Suh is being disingenuous here. I agree that teams wait too long to get a deal made as a negotiating tactic and players with their agents have tactics as well. However to say “you don’t show up to work without being paid” (paraphrasing) is just utter BS. Vita has a 18 million dollar pay out this final year based on the contract he signed years ago. He got guaranteed money upfront and last year is not. So don’t give us BS. I’d like vita to stay but his numbers weren’t great last year so he doesn’t deserve a top end payout and 31 is not young for a DT, so he shouldn’t get more than 3 years.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:15 pm
Thank you Suh!
July 27th, 2026 at 10:16 pm
Man we have to work something out with Vita. He’s too crucial to our team. I know the age thing makes folks nervous, but he is a unique type player that’s worth the risk. I’m no salary cap expert, but let’s find a way to make this work. He is still dominant and elite. We can’t lose a guy like that right now.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:17 pm
Side note,
The 2 biggest mistakes the Bucs have made in recent history that set us back multiple years and killed our chances of success were: getting rid of Suh & JPP at least 2 years too soon.
And Vita would be an even bigger mistake and setback than those 2 were. And they were HUGE MISTAKES.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:18 pm
“Vea signed the damn contract four-plus years ago.”
.
.
And it was a very fat contract when he did so.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:18 pm
All of this is an annoying negotiation tactic. Is there anyone that doesn’t think this video was recorded and in the can days ago?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not mad at anyone here; do your thing, get the money you can while you can. Business is business.
Just don’t insult my intelligence by thinking we can’t see all this for what it is. The NFL version of professional wrestlers cutting a promo.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:19 pm
How is it cowardly when he makes a video and shows his face? Make it make sense.
Keep in mind the scenario Suh was talking about has happened to multiple players and maybe even himself. Also, since Vita is his friend why would he not go to bat for him? Saying waiting to the last minute for negotiations with a player that helped you win a chip is cowardly?
He doesn’t have to mention a name, it won’t make the situation better. Once a player asks for a trade he doesn’t believe he fits the team anymore. Its over. Give him what he wants and let him go.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:20 pm
Ha, WBL both of us going with a wrestling promo angle in our comments.
I was the first comment going when I started typing. Guess I rambled on a bit. LOL
July 27th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
How is it “THE LAST MINUTE”?
The season ends January 1, 2027.
VV is under contract for the next 157 days.
They can negotate a deal anytime over the next 6 months.
Drama Queen
July 27th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
This implosion ain’t good. Maybe Bowles will demand more money too.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
You know Suh left Detroit and got paid for life, joining a not to good Miami defense at the time. That’s how he was able to make it to the Bucs and Rams to get his rings. Vita Vea I Lije most will be sorry to see go if he can’t get paid. However, I believe the financial advisor Suh is playing too much of a role in his decision to stay. Let soured players go, trade him and get good draft picks, or good CB and draft picks.all us not lost. For a prove it year for Boweles, Lichtenstein should have paid VV sooner if he truly wanted him around. NFL is a business, and players move so much sometimes, it was bound to happen to the Bucs.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:25 pm
“Play for free…”
.
.
What an arrogant thing to say. As if there isn’t already a contract in place.
I tell you what, sit out the year, and give back all of the pro-rated bonus money that you’ve already collected for this season. See how free that feels.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
I need to look up the word “contract”. Apparently, it means something different tha I thought.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
Big V has been my favorite Buc since we drafted him. That said, I don’t want malcontents on my team. So either fall in line or sayonara.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:45 pm
Agree with Suh here. Vita should be paid and he’s earned to be paid another contract. He is one of our best players.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:48 pm
It’s bizarre how this team makes sure to hand out early contracts to the likes of Todd Bowles and McCollum, yet make guys like Vita play out their final years.
While I think Vita needs to honor the contract he signed, extending elite players heading into their final years is common practice. There’s no way Gas Licht didn’t see this coming.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Work for free? WTF is this dude talking about. Has this guy ever had a real job? If Suhs been in VVs ear with this horse 💩 no wonder we are here. Love Vita, but IMO the smart move is to take rade him
July 27th, 2026 at 10:55 pm
Bucs didn’t want to extend a player on the wrong side of 30, simple as that. If Vita was 5 years younger he would’ve been extended already.
July 27th, 2026 at 10:56 pm
Really can’t disagree here. It is business and Vea has earned it, an extension. The timing of course is leverage here pretty smart. He wants to make it look the Bucs are already starting off this year on the wrong foot. Distraction with Baker and Vea. 2 huge players on this team this year. He is trying to get Vea some money that is deserved. I can’t fault him or Vea actually
July 27th, 2026 at 11:00 pm
Anyone can check, SUH the last few years he played had made more money than any player in the history of the NFL at that point in time. Go and check out that statement, its a fact.
Suh knows how to get paid. Like Suh or not, he knows what he is doing when it comes to Finances in the NFL.
Whether Vita stays or not, who knows, but the D line WITH VITA has not been anything close to what it was even just a few years ago.
So I like Vita, but hey, this team needs to be a lot better at the point of attack, and start winning the line of scrimmage again on both sides of the ball, before real consistent winning returns in Tampa Bay.
Winning always starts in the trenches. You either consistently win the line of scrimmage or you end up with a losing record. 1 +1 =2
GO BUCS!!!!
July 27th, 2026 at 11:17 pm
After watching the renegotiation fail with Evans, the return of Todd Bowles and now this, its hard to not think that golden boy Todd Licht has lot a bit of luster.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
It’s funny how the double standard works when contracts become a business discussion.
When a team cuts a player under contract, it’s “just business.” When a player restructures his deal to create cap space, retain veterans, or add talent, he’s praised for “being a team player.”
But when that same player wants long-term security entering the final year of his deal, suddenly he’s greedy—as if the fans complaining are the ones strapping on a helmet, absorbing double-teams, and risking their long-term health for 17 games.
Ask Earl Thomas. He wanted an extension entering his final season in Seattle, broke his leg, and watched his leverage disappear.
Allen Robinson tore his ACL in the final year of his rookie deal.
Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in the final year of his contract with Minnesota.
One play can change everything.
THE ANCHOR OF AN ELITE DEFENSE
Vita Vea isn’t some replacement-level player looking for a charity check. He has been the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s run defense for the better part of a decade.
Bucs rushing-defense rankings in fewest yards allowed:
2019 — 1st
2020 — 1st
2021 — 3rd
2022 — 15th
2023 — 5th
2024 — 4th
2025 — 5th
That’s six top-five finishes, three top-three finishes, and two seasons ranked No. 1 overall.
Vea’s value goes beyond his individual stat line. He eats double-teams, collapses the interior, and keeps linebackers clean so everyone around him can make plays.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Vea wanting long-term security isn’t greed. It’s smart business.
Teams protect their future by cutting veterans, demanding pay reductions, and moving on from players before their contracts expire. Nobody questions their right to make those decisions.
If management is allowed to protect the franchise’s future, the player putting his body on the line should be allowed to protect his own.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:27 pm
There was plenty of bellyaching and boohooing when Donald Penn was cut just six days before his 31st birthday, with many arguing that Jason Licht failed to honor the remaining years of his contract. Vita Vea is more accomplished, and he is not asking to be cut loose—he is simply asking for an extension so he can finish his career as a Buccaneer. It’s really that simple.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:28 pm
I get his point but 18 million dollars is hardly free. Had VV said I want a 3 million dollar bonus to put me in the top tier DT range it probably would have gotten done. He wants a new long-term contract. He watched icons like LVD and ME only get one year deals at 31 and wants to be the exception. DT drop-off happens much sooner than WRs and ILBs too. I hope they get a deal done because Vita is a special player and this team is much better with him than without. Him sitting in for a few weeks us not the end of the world. Getting more reps for Jason Jones and Capart is going to make the DT depth better.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Joe, crawl out from your cave and put down your keyboard and go meet Suh in person and call him “cowardly.” Who is the coward?
You seem to think Suh is the kind of guy that can’t handle criticism. Joe thinks Suh would have no issue discussing a disagreement peacefully and professionally.–Joe
July 27th, 2026 at 11:56 pm
So anything short of giving VV a lucrative extension is disrespectful ? Suh was a great Buc but basically a mercenary throughout his career. He totally has VV’s ear in this situation. Probably no turning back now…
July 28th, 2026 at 12:01 am
Who’s with me? 3.28.001.Evans. You’re funny.
July 28th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Perhaps Mike Evans saw all this stuff coming long ago and made like Houdini and moved on. I hope this team isn’t going full on ‘Doug Williams’ here. I’m too old for another lost generation. Say it ain’t so, Joe.
July 28th, 2026 at 12:44 am
Damn if playing for free is getting 18 million dollars sign me up!!!
July 28th, 2026 at 2:47 am
I not sure what Suh meant, but there is a sense in which Vea would not be paid his contract salary during camp.
During camp, veterans get a flat stipend of $3,500 per week. Their actual salary is divided into 17 parts and one part is paid each game week.
With no guaranteed money left, if Vea gets hurt and cut before the 53 man roster is named, he may lose some or all of his 2026 salary depending upon how his individual contract was written.
If Vea’s contract contained language that fully guaranteed it agaist injury from the start of OTA’s, he has nothing to worry about. If it did not contain that kind of language, he could be screwed if he gets hurt in camp or the preseason without an extension.
July 28th, 2026 at 6:21 am
“Ha, WBL both of us going with a wrestling promo angle in our comments.“
Great minds, lol
July 28th, 2026 at 6:28 am
Suh was an awesome lineman who helped us win a super bowl and lose a good defensive tackle
July 28th, 2026 at 8:06 am
I think this is just a leverage tactic.. I dont think they trade him, I think they are going to sign him. Im watching the Mayfield situation over the next few days.. If Baker is not signed or no negotiations are taking place.. tells me they are working on Vea’s contract.
Im not worried.. Bucs will be fine.
July 28th, 2026 at 8:12 am
These 2 acting like some diva wide receivers, haha
July 28th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Yup. Let it play out. Just a negotiation tactic. He has to stay here because he is obligated to stay one year.
After that trade him. We have a 6’6″ 360 pound nose guard waiting in the wings. And he is on the right side of 30.
July 28th, 2026 at 9:28 am
F this team and Organization they decided all of this when they flushed the franchise down the Toulet Bowles….
July 28th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Funny how @joe says “poor vita” he made 18mil but doesnt have the same response for baker who made 30mil and now wants 50 mil with no SB ring….
double standard at its finest!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 28th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
They are paying u bro because u playing 30 pounds above your ideal weight
July 28th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
I love Suh, I love the move this org did in acquiring him, but this dude stole money from Miami when he left Detroit. Richest contract in history for a defensive player, surpassing JJ Watt, and yet modest stat numbers. That Miami team was mismanaged, but he put that team so far in the cap hole that they had to release him, and he only managed to help them get to 1 wild card birth for the 3 years he was there.
Fun facts, we signed Suh for close to $10M at age 32 in 2019, and to make the max $10M, it was incentive based. That’s 1 year older than Vita, and btw, Suh from health perspective, heckuva lot better track record = better investment. So even for inflation, what is Vita asking for? You think $20M/per? I get this will be his final deal, but that’s egregious.
I must have been sleeping under a rock when things changed, but I always saw post-rookie deal as the biggest most profitable deal for a player, the 3rd contract if they are in their last 20’s maybe as good? But since when did we start paying 30+ year old lineman more than what they made post-rookie deal? I think Mike Evans last deal was his richest with us at playing age 29/30? It’s amazing what these vets are trying to leverage.