Adam Schefter: Vita Vea Is Changing His Tune
August 19th, 2026
“Bryan, all it takes is a little personal touch.”
Well, well, well. See what happens when The Boss shows up?
Yesterday, Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer showed up at One Buc Palace, believed to be the first time this summer for training camp. Joe also spotted Glazer chatting, briefly, with hold-in bad back-suffering Vita Vea.
Big deal, right? Well…
Today, ESPN’s NFL uber insider and 10 percent employee of the NFL, Adam Schefter, said on “The Pat McAfee Show” there is a different song now being sung by Vea’s agent.
“To me, reading between the lines, having conversations with people, it feels like there has been a shift. It feels like we’ve gone from a tone of pessimism to one where there is potential optimism,” Schefter said.
“It feels like we’ve gone from Vita Vea wanting a trade to Vita Vea now wanting to get a deal done.
“It feels like we’ve gone from there being questions about Vita Vea not being in Tampa to now let’s see if they can get [a deal] done.
“I think it’s flipped. I think eventually the two sides figure it out. I think they get something done. And I think Vita Vea stays in Tampa.”
Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences in football. So the irony of the head cheese of the Bucs showing up to camp and, about 24 hours later, all of a sudden Vea wants to talk turkey with the Bucs is too delicious for Joe to believe this is all just happenstance.
More fun at Bucs practice today: Joe saw Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht talking at length with Glazer in a spirited conversation with all smiles. Roughly four feet in front of Glazer and Licht was Vea.
Joe is glad to hear both parties are talking and that Vea seems open to dropping his trade demand.
Joe has to wonder if the two rookies, Rueben Bain and Josiah Trotter, have Vea hankering to play football with them?
Adam Schefter on Vita Vea’s status with the Bucs, via @PatMcAfeeShow:
"It feels like there’s been a shift … It feels like we’ve gone from Vita Vea wanting a trade to Vita Vea now wanting to get a deal done.”pic.twitter.com/lUAPrVlUyO
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 19, 2026
August 19th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Bunch of clowns, From Glazer down to VV…….
August 19th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Please let it be so. 🙏
August 19th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Lol
August 19th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
As much I would agree with a trade.
I also would love to keep Vea for the next 3 years.
He’s a unique player.
August 19th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
As the tackling sled turns, that’s what this is atp. Football novellas
August 19th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Drama sells. And no one knows that better than the NFL. 🙂
August 19th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Salary cap baby. Ship him and dont pay Mayfield. New coach needs cap room next year!
August 19th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Hallelujah! 🙏🏼 we keep Vita.
August 19th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Good news. Defense is the Achilles heal of this team. That’s where money needs to be spent.
Not on a mid tier at best QB that has never won anything of merit in the NFL.
Vea > Crybaby Mayfield
August 19th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
They new he was underpaid but wanted to call his bluff
August 19th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
they couldnt return the banner
August 19th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
If Vita gets a nice extension does that make Baker even more upset?
August 19th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
admin Says:
Drama sells. And no one knows that better than the NFL.
^^^^^^
… And the Bucs. Tampa is completely irrelevant on a national level. We’re not the Cowboys, 49ers, Chicago. We don’t just matter because of where we are.
It’s a small market. Small markets have to make big noise to get noticed.
Every year the Bucs manufacture contract drama. Godwin, Evans, LVD, VV, Baker … We’re always about to lose someone. Every year the same fans fall for it. The sky is falling. Licht is horrible. The owners are tightwads. They ignore the fact the Bucs spend more than nearly every team (check the dead cap over the past three years) and that Licht re-signs more drafted players than EVERY GM in the NFL. He’s #1.
When have we ever lost a player that we liked? Never … until Evans (but I have my theories on that one).
August 19th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
I hope he stays. But Todd is still here….
August 19th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
ZZ. Maybe go follow the panthers
August 19th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Less chance of Vita being out of gas sooner LOL. There is not a True Bucs fan that will deny we are a better team with him. THis D-Line and Front 7 should be much better than the Putrid Pass Defense of recent past. LFG
August 19th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
I don’t like it….
It sets a bad precedent – negotiating with a player making $18M in the final year of his contract – not because he earned a big raise with his play last year – but because he thinks he’s underpaid and is trying to hold the team hostage with unreasonable demands of a trade – just prior to training camp….. while faking an injury no less….
Bucs need to hold the line and make Vea play out his contract this year. Then make a fair offer for a 1 or 2 year deal in 2027. Or just franchise tag him for $26M if they feel they can’t live without him next year
Bucs could offer to guarantee Vea’s $18M 2026 salary now – in order to get him on the practice field right away – but that is the only offer that should be made at this point…..
August 19th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
There ya go, Joe…. A HUGE shoutout about JoeBucsFan by J-Mac today, on The Herd!!!!
August 19th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Question is if they sign Vita to a new contract will there be enough room in the Salary Cap to sign Baker, Cody Mauch and YaYa. It might actually be better to let Vita go.
August 19th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
CALLED IT!!!!!!!!!
813bucboi Says:
August 18th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Glazer most likely said we’ll get this done within the next 48hours, cant wait to see you in pads…
Vita will get what he wants….a raise and a couple more years….all the “trade em” folks will be crying a river lol
Pay Vita!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 19th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
been saying for a while it makes no sense to trade Vita when we finally have talented pass rushers….thats taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back
GO BUCS!!!!
August 19th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
I’ve said it repeatedly: The Bucs have $8.5 million to work with and both Vita and Baker can’t get paid.
Granted, Joe is closer to the situation than I am and Schefter is even closer than that. I don’t have insight into the inner workings where all of them either do, or at least have enough insider knowledge to have have informed opinions.
Me? I’m reading variables. And the variable that does not change is that the team only has $8.5 million to pay two premier players who are both demanding more money. That can’t happen while at the same time looking to scoop a moderately decent CB up from the free agent scrap heap after next weekend.
The variables lead me to suspect that a frank conversation occurred where the salary cap issue was discussed and promises for *next season* were made and/or agreed upon in principle. In the meantime, the “ask” would be that Vita just play it out.
August 19th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
The DT position has changed sooooo MUCH over the past several years… There is just SO MUCH TALENT at the position now!!!! I noticed it prob 6-7 years ago, at the HS level. It’s changed BIG-TIME from what the position used to be, and THE MONEY now, reflects that. The players are just SO MUCH BETTER, more athletic, and can do soooo many other things. I said it several years ago, to watch out for the position in the future. I mean, you could ‘see-it’ within just the Top-100 and 300 Recruiting Rankings, alone. You use to rarely EVER see anymore than maybe just a couple… Now, you’re seeing ‘multiple’ 5-stars and LOTS of 4-stars at the top of the rankings regularly, within almost every class. And, it’s been that way for AWHILE, now!!!!
August 19th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
Heck yeah.
My hope has been to sign him to a 2-3 year deal and draft his replacement R1 or R2 next year to groom, although finding another Vea isn’t easy.
August 19th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Well, let’s see if that mysterious back all of a sudden gets better and he starts practicing!
August 19th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Hope he’s not too injured to sign an extension…
August 19th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Given that Licht sucks at drafting in the second round and most likely that is what the market for VV, I prefer keeping him vs. trading for a waisted 2nd round pick next year.
August 19th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Question for Joe and everyone else. Why would VV risk practicing and getting hurt when none of his money is guaranteed?? He blows a knee or gets rolled upon like Ryan Jensen and he doesn’t get a dime. Would you risk it?
August 19th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
We need corners! Burrow gonna carve the Bucs up like a thanksgiving turkey! 🦃
August 19th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
I said it yesterday!!
Gbobucsfan Says:
August 19th, 2026 at 6:25 am
So we’ll hear news of an extension tomorrow lol.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Who the hell cares at this point? Yeah, rhetorical question I know, but seriously, who cares? The Joe’s, Ira, and the regulars on here will all be calling for the regime to be taken apart with a wrecking ball quick fast and in a hurry if this season goes south.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
And Diggs signed with the Seahawks. Great job Licht. Not like the team needed CB depth or anything.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
I stand by what I said the last few days. VV has ruined his rep and showed his true colors. Rather than support the team who drafted him and gave him a massive contract, he’s squabbling over a few million dollar raise. Hard to get sympathy from us working class grunts like myself who shell out thousands a year in flights, hotels, and tickets to support this team. Even if he resigns, it leaves a funk in the locker room. I still say trade him and give a raise to YaYa
August 19th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
That’s fair.
Look, Joe has been banging the drum Vea is underpaid. So it is not like Joe is anti-Vea.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
I hope they can get Vea back on a one year deal.
VV is a solid NT and deserves a small bump in pay – with Vea the Bucs can win at least 7 games.
Without Vea – 6-10.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
YEEESSSSS 😈
August 19th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
*without Vea 6-11…
August 19th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Wonder what the plan is. Are they going to extend him multiple years and if so for how much. Or are they just going to throw him an extra 5 or 6 million this year on top of his 18 million and part ways with him next year. In all honesty if they don’t plan on extending him they should trade him. Better to get something for him than just use him as a 1 year rental we are not that close to a Super Bowl to be doing that.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
You stiffs that DO NOT UNDERSTAND that this is how contract negotiations work in the NFL and it has been this way for a long time so please stop with your self righteous indignation because VV makes 700 times more a year than you do-Get Over It!!!!!
The bottom line is that VV moves the needle in a very positive fashion for the Bucs and the Defensive line may actually be something to behold IF and only IF VV is on that line. Bucs made their offer to Baker and he insulted the Glazers by saying they were nowhere close , so the Glazers are like ” Heck if you think around 48 mil a year is paltry-then play out your contract and we will see….”
August 19th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
With Vea this defense has a decent chance to be Top-10. Without him, Top-20 is more likely.
I still find it hard to believe that the Bucs will cave in to Vea’s demands, only because it sends the wrong message to the rest of the team. Still, I could see Bucs & Vea working a deal that let’s everyone ‘save face’ yet looking like they BOTH won.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
On a percentage basis, after his new contract is signed …..
You Watch !! His time on the field will drop back to 50% , You watch and see….
Miking it baby ,milking it 😉
August 19th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Buc fans are stressing over that potentially lost 3rd round pick
August 19th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
BuccoMarty: This year’s cap has nothing to do with it. They can just guarantee all of his $18M for this year, and then give him 2 years at $23M for 27-28, and probably get it done. The $18M for this year is already figured into that cap. Sure, they could give him $2M this year as a bonus (does not count against cap) if they need to sweeten the deal.
August 19th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
How funny this is. It allows so many people to imagine themselves general managers or owners. To feel like big shots as if it were their own money to spend. You add the two pass rushers, the two new linebackers, a defensive tackle who might finally be healthy, two of the best safeties in the league–are you paying attention, this defense could shine. And don’t spit out the garbage about the head coach’s incompetence. Go back and look at the tape of the 2020 playoff games against Green Bay, New Orleans and Kansas City. His game management leaves something to be desired, but he knows defense and he also recognized that the talent and desire on defense had deteriorated. This year, the team will start slowly but by game 7 will be among the top eight teams in the league with or without Vea.
August 19th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Oh Snap!! A left hook of common sense from Buddah! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!! You dont getco.mon sense to often on the JBF site..Nice Buddah!!
August 19th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Not sure if it is just Trotter and Bain. More likely, he’s eager to join his buddies, the men he has gone to war with over the years, and is tired of sitting around with the sore back excuse. He’s a football player and it’s football playing time!
August 19th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
We need the ManBeast !! The Bucs defense will be much better with him !! Opposing Quarterbacks Beware !!
Go VV !!
Go Bucs !!
August 19th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
DR, if the deal gets done that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
It has never been an option of vita leaving! The big boy always draws a double team which frees up other D linemen. Year after year just knowing number 50 is in the middle there is no way any team is running up the gut. Wait one more week and get him the Money he Deserves!!
August 19th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
$22.5 Million one year deal.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
BuccoMarty – “I’ve said it repeatedly: The Bucs have $8.5 million to work with and both Vita and Baker can’t get paid.”
Man, it’s sad to see so many people who don’t realize that the salary cap is essentially fictional. You could give Vea a $5-7 million dollar raise this season and an additional guaranteed year or two and have NONE of it show up on the books this season.
Same for Baker. You could sign him for $50 million per season, offer a five year deal with $150 million guaranteed. The 4th and 5th years are essentially void years that the Bucs can choose to use if they still want Baker then. They can use the money from those void years NOW to pay whoever they want. Same thing they did with Brady.
A conversion into signing bonuses or roster bonuses is all it takes along with some void years tacked on the end. The same thing the Chiefs have done with Mahomes (who many pundits call “the bank of Mahomes” for how the Chiefs use his long contract and void years to pay other players). He has a ten year deal because they use all of those future years to pay players now. Mahomes gets his money either way – a bonus now or paid later – I guarantee you that every player will take Now over later, though.
There really is no hard cap that has to be followed. It is a theoretical number that is meaningless.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
A perfect example of the fictional salary cap is this – something those who call the Glazers “cheap” should keep in mind …
Per Spotrac, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a total cash spending commitment of approximately $320.6 million for the 2026 season, which compares to a base league salary cap maximum of $301.2 million (and an adjusted team cap limit around $317.5 million including rollovers).
In other words, the Bucs are exceeding the salary cap by a good amount this season, alone, due to cap manipulations from previous years.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Funny how camp and preseason are almost over and now he wants to make a deal. Hmmmm
August 19th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
I don’t think cornerback is going to be much of a weakness either. Not with *this* front 7. There is going to be so much pressure on opposing QB’s they are bound to make far more mistakes against us vs. previous seasons. Remember, we are already budgeted to pay Vea 18 million in the cap this year and Baker 40 million. So even if we give Vea a 5M raise and Baker a 20M one, that’s still less than the 35M the cap will go up next year (the difference between their current salary and what it is about to be). With some players on one year contracts and a couple others leaving, there will be enough to re-sign Mauch (totally critical) and Yaya (very important) too! Not sure about Godwin, but he’d have to be willing to take substantially less next year (let’s see how he does this year..)
August 19th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
IIRC, the agreement between the league and the players’ association is that contracts not otherwise guaranteed become guaranteed vs injury at the start of the regular season.
But, when negotiating an extension or new contract for veteran players, the contract usually specifies that the year becomes guaranteed vs injury at the start of organized team activities.
So, unless Vea signed a weak contract, this year’s money should already be guaranteed against football related injuries.
Vea set new highs last year which should be rewarded by of incremental incentives.
Keep this year’s pay the same @ $18 M, but add $2 M if he hits 80% of last year’s snaps, another $2 M if he hits 90he hits last year’s snaps, another $2 M if he exceeds last year snaps; another $3 M if he is in the top 10 at his position for the seas; another $3 M if he is in the top 5. That is a $30 M deal – if he earns it – but it only adds $4 M to this year’s cap hit; increase his base for 2027 and 2028 by $5 M per year with the same incentives.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Get it done! Move on!
August 19th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
“It feels like we’ve gone from Vita Vea wanting a trade to Vita Vea now wanting to get a deal done.”
I think seeing the change in the defense had a big impact as well.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
SummerofGeorge Says:
August 19th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Good news. Defense is the Achilles heal of this team. That’s where money needs to be spent.
Not on a mid tier at best QB that has never won anything of merit in the NFL.
Vea > Crybaby Mayfield
You just might get your wish but be careful what you wish for. Who will be the Bucs QB next year if Baker leaves? Ballsack? Teddy? If anyone thinks the Bucs will draft a QB with a top ten pick you can forget about that.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Lol Says:
“Lol”
Lol
August 19th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
SlyPirate Says:
“Tampa is completely irrelevant on a national level.”
I know this was once the case…but I do not think it is anymore. We may not be the biggest market, but we’re at least somewhere in the middle.
Not a lot of teams have won multiple superbowls this century.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
“Hey Vita, how about a 4 million endorsement deal with one of our other enterprises under the table?” – Joel Glazer
Let’s just go the Kawhi Leonard route. Hush hush everyone.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
I’ll bet stuff like that goes on all the time. The Glazers give him a Ferrari. Stuff like that. Also insurance policies exist that can be paid for that will guarantee his salary if he’s injured. I think football players often partake in those but owners can probably offer them too. Certainly they can find promotional opportunities.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
ScottyMack … Thankfully the salary CAP is based on the Top-51, not everyone who we have under contract.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Scottymack, you are correct! Problem is you still have to pay the piper. In 2024 the Bucs Had $80 Million in dead cap trying to repay the Brady Gronk years. Kick the can down the road works when your team is Super Bowl ready!
August 19th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
I think Tampa and Seattle are about equal on a national scale. People are aware of the teams and know if they don’t pay attention they just might show up and bite them on the backside. Tampa is certainly not irrelevant, and neither is Seattle. Not with the SB wins. Tampa hasn’t lost a SB either.
August 19th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
ScottyMack … And no, the salary CAP isn’t ‘essentially fictional’. It’s very real & EVENTUALLY you have to pay the piper & balance the books. Still, I’m sure that there’s a LOT of ‘maneuver room’ year-to-year when it comes to working with the salary CAP.
August 19th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
My biggest takeaway from this article is just what I suspected…The Glazer Gang loves Bright Licht…he’s a made man and will likely be around for the next head coach. I may just be jealous of the tenure that was truly only successful with Bruce Arians & Brady involved. Before and after? Meh. Maybe it’s one of the Joes’ ring of honor endorsement.
August 19th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Marine Buc … ‘with Vea the Bucs can win at least 7 games’.
Wait a minute; ‘at least 7 games’? Is that like 8 games, or 9 games, or maybe even 10 games?
Am I sensing a whiff of optimism in there?
August 19th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Drama, drama, drama…
Where’s the token buccaneer girlfriend at camp social media footage of Payne with his country singer girlfriend? Isn’t that what comes next?
(Does she realize he’s not a starter? Only on a rookie deal… which is actually a lot of money compared to most of us.. LOL)
August 19th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
Yes we just extended Vita!!!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Per Schefty, Vea gets a 1yr extension.
August 19th, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Dang,my hats the best news I’ve heard in a long time. LFG!
August 19th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Y’all thought Joel Glazer came outside for nothing, lmaoooooo
We’re back baby
August 19th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Vea just signed 1 year 30M YEAHHHHH
August 19th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
At 1yr extra & $30M ($6M new money in 2026) for Vea…I see that as 2yrs & $48M ($24M in each 2026 / 2027)…It’s not crazy & it doesn’t kill the team long-term. But would like to see the language to determine what the guaranteed money looks like.
(If I was in the GM chair, it would not stop me form exploring any potential sign & trade deals, if the right level of compensation was offered from another team!)
Now, Licht & Joel Glazer need to offer Baker’s agent at least 3yrs & $156M (with >$100M guaranteed)…Because if / when Bake balls out in 2026 – like we all expect – it’ll cost them a ton more of Glazer cash to keep him.