Graham Barton Addresses His Personal Loss Of Vita Vea
August 17th, 2026
Bucs third-year starting center Graham Barton had to have smiled a little this summer knowing he wouldn’t be locking horns in practice with iconic Buccaneers manbeast defensive tackle Vita Vea. Right?
Wrong, Barton told Joe.
Barton said he feels the loss of Vea as it relates to his own preparation.
“I love going against Vita in training camp because he’s an incredible nose tackle,” Barton said. “I get one of the toughest matchups of the year for a month of training camp. You know, like I’m going to lose some reps to Vita and we’re going to back and forth; but that’s kind of what I need and what I like. I hope this all gets resolved. Would love to get him out there. He’s a great teammate and a great leader in our locker room. We all hope the best for him. Would love to get him out there on the practice field.”
Yes, Vea is irreplaceable. He’s that talented.
However, what Vea might fetch in a trade later this month also could be irreplaceable for the 2026 roster and/or the future. Also, a trade could mean the Bucs have a lot more salary cap room to use this year or next.
Big decision ahead for Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
As Joe learned today, fans are very much split on Vea.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
I love him, and I am a big proponent of keeping the true Buccaneers around.
It would be very very hard to accept the fact that Vita Vea and Mike Evans will be playing in different jerseys this year. I guess at some point though, if neither side is happy with whatever deal, cut ties, wrap it up. Shouldn’t still be talking about it.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Licht is pissing in the wind with his pants down!!!!!!
stop BSing around and get it done!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 17th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
“However, what Vea might fetch in a trade later this month also could be irreplaceable for the 2026 roster and/or the future.”
Draft picks are replaceable, heck they even give them at away at a certain point in the offseason.
If it isn’t used by us to go after Ahmed Moten jr or Will Echoles, is it worth what we lost? Not immediately.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
they probably offered him more money this year but not a multi year extension bc of his age and more he’s being stubborn and listening to Suh and it’s not good for him or us!!
August 17th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Nothing personal… just business.
Hard to not take it personal.
Make a deal and secure a DB and a pick.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Damn either extend his contract or trade him but this is getting to be a bit much and a distraction to the team.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
60-40 is not split.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
I think the Paul Gruber holdout was much better. Sam Wyche was asked where he was during the fan fest at the old sombrero and he quipped back “not here obviously”
August 17th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
@813bucboi is so off base. What is Licht supposed to do, hand a 31-year old DL a 3-year extension at 90 million with 70 guaranteed? I’m sick of paying these guys early, they must play out their contracts, like Evans and Winfield, unlike “bored” McCollum.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Licht must trade Vea now. You can’t set a precedent that a player can demand a trade and get a raise. Vea went about this the wrong way. Ship his butt to Arizona and let that be a message to the other players on the team.
I really want Vea to play for us but now we have to get rid of him out of principal.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
When they signed VV to his last contract, they made him one of the top paid DT in the league. Licht and co hooked him up, and this is how he shows his appreciation.
Godwin, Evans, LVD … none of them acted in their contract years. They all honored their deals and got rewarded. Team first professionals. I think paying VV now sends the wrong message.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Part of the problem might Via wants such a crazy contract that other teams don’t want to resign him either. I obviously ain’t privy to his demands but I’m pretty sure he wants thirty million a year for three years. I say that because there’s four players already well over thirty million a year. Heck, Jaylon Carter makes thirty eight.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Pay the man! Quit worrying about next year. Same thing with Baker. Either the Glazers want to win or save money. For a NFL owner being cheap, there’s no excuses.
August 17th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Any news on Billy Schrauth and Christian Rozeboom?
August 17th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
It was hard to watch ME leave but at least he was man enough to play out his contract. Baker is playing out his contract but he might leave like ME did. Then there is Vita who makes no attempt to work out with the team. I thought he had more character than this
August 17th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
My biggest concern has been the span of time VV has not been active in practice/play with the team. How is this going to effect his physical condition, playing performance and re-injury risk? And — should this be the Buc’s problem — or maybe another team’s problem?
August 17th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Ex-Browns02
^^^^^
That’s real!
Guys who don’t practice or play in preseason get hurt. The Bucs have a new DL and he’s not lined up with them. He doesn’t have the rapport. I think the Bucs are exploring a trade.
August 17th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Overpaying is worse than losing the player. Just look at Miami.
August 17th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
We never make business decisions. We are too nice.
I want a 2nd first round pick.
I’m sorry but we can trade Vea Ànd draft TWO elite defensive tackles next year for thé price of 1.
What’s better? À 32 year old NT at 22 million?
Or two 22 year old defensive tackles for less?
Nacho is 33. Vea is 31. Robinson is 31.
We need to add some young defensive linemen next year.
I love Vea. But sometimes we need to be more logical than loving.
Trade Vea. Grab two huge defensive tackles next year.
August 17th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
It’s a tough poll to answer.
I voted no, didn’t want him traded because I think most of us just want him to play the contract he signed and give us a good season with this revamped D.
If he actually won’t suit up for the Bucs, then yes, I am on board with getting assets for him and we move on with what we got!
August 17th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Vita Vea is entering his last contract as an NFL player. Paying him $30 plus million a year may or may not be wise for the Bucs. I’m leaning towards IFFY because his fall off in years 3 or 4 could limit the Bucs getting to the Super Bowl. A good run stopper replacement could save the Bucs $10 million a year. That’s money could be used to pay Bain, YaYa, Roberts or a future draft pick.
That’s what parity has done to stopping dynasties in the NFL. IT’S not about greatness. It’s all about 💰 💰 🤑 💸 💲 🪙
August 17th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
Let’s say he did fetch a second rounder. The concern is Jason has a terrible pedigree with that round.
August 17th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
I think if they were offering a good 2nd round pick he would have been traded already not quite sure the value of a 31 nose tackle who plays limited snaps because of effectiveness holds the value people think it does.
August 17th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Trading him would be dumb we get at best a 2nd round pick..Jason sucks historically with 2nd round picks.
Make him play and if we don’t tag him next year he walks we get a 3rd comp pick.
He will have to play his ass of this year or lose out on a lot of money.
Him.playimg 50% of snaps doesn’t deserve the money he wants.
August 17th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Trade vita vea? Trade vita vea?
For who? Peewee Herman? Give me a break and come off the wallet please!
August 17th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
we are all riding the vita train……to see where it takes us
August 17th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
hop on……no one knows where it stops
August 17th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
I bought two new jerseys for this season: #13 and #50. Please don’t trade one of the best linemen (part time FB/TE) the Bucs have ever had. Vea is absolutely essential for a playoff year for the Bucs. My message to Licht is – PAY HIM!
August 17th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
See ya big man, get some Corners for this guy at least, and whatever else that can be wrangled from another team
August 17th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
Hold the line Licht!
DON’T offer any more $ or an extension – Make VV play out his contract this year (for $18M)….
If he looks great in 2026 – Franchise tag him in 2027 for $26M or whatever….
After that – Vea will be 33 and Bucs will have found/drafted a replacement NT.
Dude is way over his skis with these Trade me or I won’t play demands.
I GUARANTEE that Vita Vea will be at practice Tuesday the week of Game 1.
He’s NOT going to miss out on $1+MILLION dollars for a week’s work in the first week of the regular season – or any other week.
What kind of shape he will be in and the lack of chemistry with his linemates will be a real thing – but the Bucs CANNOT be held hostage nor give into the demands of a player under contract… Especially when that contract pays $18M for 1 season of playing football.
August 17th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Mean Gene Deckeroff: Ring of Honor? Absolutely…should be this season.
Jason Brite Licht: Ring of Fire(d) more accurate. He can count being a part in Arians almost immediate induction.
August 17th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Todd Bowles got this. Whoever plays will stud out.
August 17th, 2026 at 6:54 pm
Sorry, folks. No one is going to give value for a one-year rental of VV. And at his age and position, I sure wouldn’t pay him for any three years. The best option I can see is, give him the $12 million more he wants for this year, and let him walk next March, and we get a third-round pick in the ’28 draft. (Forget the franchise tag, we will be using it on Baker.)
August 17th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
I’m going conspiracy. He is showing up refusing to practice spying around for his new team. If he’s not going to participate tell him to stay home. Yes trade him if he doesn’t have to be around no more and do anything.
August 17th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
It hurts, but it’s a business decision. He has to go.
August 17th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
So the holdout is making the team worse. Vita is not serious about wanting to win. That’s your teammate. You are being paid millions already. Get on the field or enjoy home shopping elsewhere.
August 17th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
It would be stupid to trade him. He gets doubled opening up other defenders. Losing him the season will be lost.
August 17th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
The Bucs hold all the cards in this situation. There’s no way a 32 year old 350 pound lineman sits out the entire season and misses out on $18 million. He needs to play and play well if he wants to get another contract with some other team next year.
August 17th, 2026 at 8:22 pm
We already have too many 20+ million dollar a year players.
Not enough Glazer loot to go around since they prioritize the Euro trash soccer team.
Besides, he’s basically a part time player.
And the scheme is still awful with him on the team.
August 17th, 2026 at 8:39 pm
If you agreed to pay someone to do a job and they got 2/3 of the way finished then wanted more money you would be pissed and would get rid of them.
Jason Light and the Buccaneers should feel the same way and start the process of moving VV along.
Love VV but it’s time to realize he’s at the end of his career and we need some new blood on the DL.
August 17th, 2026 at 9:00 pm
So, it looks like the Bucs are playing hardball with Vea. It will be interesting to see if Bowles is capable of designing schemes that can work without Vea clogging up the middle. Since the Bucs do not seem too keen of bringing Vea back into the fold with a new contract this means that either the Bucs think they can succeed without him or the Glazers are okay with the team getting exposed on defense this season and are looking to rebuild in 2027 which might explain why Baker has not been re-signed either and why Licht is not looking at getting some depth at CB…….
The Glazers appear to be unwilling to commit long term to a bunch of question marks: especially Baker and Bowles. Vea is not really a question mark talent wise, but he may not be a crucial player for another defensive scheme if Bowles is launched after this season so perhaps the Glazers/Licht are saving that money to spend on someone else up for an extention like Mauch or even Yaya Diaby; the pie can only be shared with so many players, perhaps over 30 Vea is the odd man out.
August 17th, 2026 at 11:11 pm
Vita is getting bad advice. He’s looking at losing $17 million this year and then having to find a new team after not playing for a season as a 32-year-old 330 pound man coming off an injury. He needs to play out this contract, give the Buccaneers an opportunity to extend him, and if not, then move on next year with the 17 million in his pocket.
August 17th, 2026 at 11:40 pm
Vea will be a washout with any other coach. All this hype about talent is in fact the result of Bowles coaching. Vea is dumb if he really leaves the Bucs.
August 18th, 2026 at 7:02 am
$20+ million is far too much to pay an older, oft-injured, part-time player – especially on what will be a team that wont make the playoffs.
Take a 3rd round pick and the salary cap relief and get ready for a new coach in 2027.
August 18th, 2026 at 7:03 am
I predict Vea will go back home to San Francisco where he c was,born and raised. Contrary to popular belief he was not born on a Pacific Island.