DeMonte Capehart Talks Violence, Vita Vea Support
August 7th, 2026
Bucs rookie DT DeMonte Capehart.
Rookie defensive tackles have a way of disappearing until preseason games kick off.
And last night’s NFL preseason kickoff (Panthers vs. Cardinals) got Joe thinking about the Bucs’ rookie defensive tackle, DeMonte Capehart.
Capeheart is a chiseled 315 pounds and a shade under 6-5. The Bucs made the beastly run stuffer their fifth-round pick out of Clemson.
Capehart hasn’t seen much first-team work in training camp, obviously, but he says fans should look for his violence in the preseason opener next Friday against the Jets. He says the competition at One Buc Palace is bringing out his best.
“Every day you want to show up with that edge to you, you don’t want to ever show up last because then you’re in trouble,” Capehart said. “I think it’s healthy competition on our defensive line. It’s fun competition as I see it.”
Fans can expect what Capehart delivered in college. “I’m violent and I’m physical and I’m going to show that I belong,” he said.
Has Capehart had his eyes open as a rookie? He thinks that kind of stuff is overblown.
“Football is football. Nothing’s going to change about it, just the level we’re at,” Capehart said. “I think lot of people get that confused. This is just something you’ve worked for your whole life and now it’s time for your to enjoy it.”
Asked what veterans have really helped him, Capehart praised Elijah Simmons, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, A’Shawn Robinson –and Vita Vea. “Vita has played a big part,” he said.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
They ought to just guarantee Vea for this season and give him a decent one year raise. I think I read that if he gets hurt in camp as it stands he’d only get an injury settlement. No wonder he won’t practice.
This guy Licht is blowing it.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
I see the Vea camp logic. If he’s only guaranteed once the season actually starts, than most likely only someone interested in actually and immediately signing him to an extension at market value would show up as a willing trade partner.
If I’m understanding this right, his salary guarantee of 18M only vests once the league season begins.
If that’s so, it’s a moron move to not remedy that
I think a season of him playing is worth more than even a 2nd round pick- especially if you are guaranteed a third if he plays and then leaves as a free agent. Only way it’s a decent idea to trade is if it’s for a 1 or for a solid player- or maybe a dline depth piece and a corner
August 7th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
I’ve only been to a couple practices, but Capehart looks beastly out there, very imposing guy. Yesterday, he blew up a RB – 3 yards behind the line. He’s playing behind Kancey at the moment, so he might get lots of snaps this year.
August 7th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
This is my guy
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
March 3rd, 2026 at 11:10 am
“DeMonte Capehart is probably my favorite of this group of players, because not only is he ridiculously athletic, but fits that profile at 6’5 313lbs just needing to further refine his game from a technical standpoint. Also comes with positional versatility we currently don’t have on the interior.”
It’s like signing A’Shawn then finding his not-so Mini Me to play behind him.
Can’t wait to see how he looks next week.
August 7th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
cleanhouse
BINGO!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 7th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
He was playing behind 1st round picks.
He was a 5 star recruit out of high school.
He’s an elite athlete. He was just playing behind 1st round linemen.
He is a 2nd round talent that we got in the 5th round because he wasn’t a starter in college.
But he is without a doubt à 2nd round NFL athlete. With 1st round potential.
August 7th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
JimBobBuc Says:
He’s playing behind Kancey, so he might get lots of snaps this year.
^^^^^^^^^^^
OH, WOW! He’s behind Kancey. Great observation. So, he’s basically the Bucs unofficial starting DT. Better learn the name, DeMonte Capehart.
August 7th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
I think the smart move is to do what they are doing now obviously they are moving on from vea after this year what would the point in giving him something he doesn’t want he doesn’t want a raise for his last year of his contract, he wants a contract extension because it will likely be his last decent bag at his age. Pretty sure this is why his agent is talking the way he is because the bucs have no interest in doing another extended contract with vea.
August 7th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
So vea will either hold out and still have to honor the contract in 2027 play like crap out of spite or ball out for the next team that is going to sign him.
August 7th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
billings looked great last night
August 7th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
I could be wrong about this but I thought anyone of Vea’s stature within the organization, meaning a long term contract, that get’s injured in practice or football related activities has their contract paid out during the season. And a chance to mention that many times the Glazers and by extension Licht has paid players contract bonuses that they have come close to but not fulfilled. That is in contrast to Cleveland and a lot of other truly cheap owners out there. I don’t think this ownership group is cheap. I think there is real money and cap issues here that limits what the team can pay who and when. There has to be money for the potential of good players that get cut or FA’s that drop. If Licht is telling these guys he wants to pay them but is limited for a time then it is what it is. The player might not like it but would I leave my job cause the boss says no to a raise because the money just isn’t there yet? That could be the bottom line in all of this with the crying for new contracts.
August 7th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Clean house, I completely agree with your first two comments. That’s really the long and short of it.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
The reason I said to pay him a decent market rate this year and to guarantee his contract so he can practice is to get him in camp and keep him motivated for a good season, if he doesn’t live up to it, let him hit the market or sign him for less going forward because his performance lowered his market value.
I’m guessing the team is too scared to guarantee him in camp for fear he’ll be injured and would also prefer to have him not practice? Strange.
If I was a GM- granted I don’t begin to claim to know how all athe inner workings work- I would negotiate for some middle ground, camp injury lost seasons pay out at only a discounted rate. It’s in these guys interests to not fake hurt if they want to have a career moving forward. Otherwise they get a bad reputation as damaged goods, so there’s a disincentive to just slack and collect a check unless you’re a Swaggy Baker type.
I know Vea wants a strong deal going forward wherever he plays, but I think part of this was poor planning- not structuring these final years of the deals to be solid enough for player buy in.
I’m sure there’s no easy answers. If any readers know more about this and I’m missing something- please chime in!!!
August 7th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
I wonder if the Bucs didn’t see full effort from Vea a few times last year and they are unhappy about it. Interesting…
August 7th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
We don’t know that Jason hasn’t already offered Vita a pay raise and more guaranteed money. I would be surprised if that hasn’t already been offered and turned down. Vita wants a long term contract and be paid top 5 money. The Bucs aren’t going there. This is going to be Vita’s last year as a Buc. The only real question at this point is whether or not he sits out or plays out his last year of his contract. I loved Suh but this wouldn’t be happening if he didn’t get in his ear.