Greg Cosell: Bucs Could Have A Strong Defensive Line
August 3rd, 2026
Nightmare pairing with Rueben Bain.
There are few people that break down film Joe respects more than NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell. And if one thing happens, he is very, very bullish on the Bucs’ defensive line.
So what is that one thing? Vita Vea.
Cosell is convinced that sooner or later, Vea will decide to join the team have his back problems go away. Cosell said Vea has little leverage in his pay-me-or-trade-me demand.
So why is Cosell so high on the Bucs’ defensive line? Well, he told the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast” that he spoke with a Bucs source (Cosell wouldn’t say who) and Bucs types are absolutely doing backflips in the building over Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler.
Cosell reasons if Bain is all that alongside Vita Vea, that is going to be a major problem for Bucs opponents.
That is exactly why Joe is down in the dumps over Vea’s holdout. Joe doesn’t blame Vea. He’s terribly underpaid. But the thought of Bain lining up next to Vea (yes, Joe knows Bain is at outside linebacker, but let Joe dream, huh?) forces Joe to take a cold shower.
If Vea gets traded or sits out the season, that pairing will never happen.
“I spoke to somebody down there who said that Rueben Bain Jr… He said you just GOT to see this guy…he is all ball and he's PHENOMENAL." @GregCosell with some intel on the Buccaneers rookie: pic.twitter.com/Klh7ULoOYy
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) August 2, 2026
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:21 am
Cosell Says: “If Bain is all that, and you pair him with Vea, that is going to be a major problem.”
AND, KANCEY. Don’t forget Kancey!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:40 am
We go through this every season…the hype machine cranks out “You gotta see this guy, that guy, the other guy….” Then comes the season and reality sets in. This guy, that guy, and the other guy meet their matches and become very average. So, I’ve come to expect the hype and tune it out. What I see is a defensive coaching staff that is comprised of former assistants being elevated. They are unproven. It will show in the back end…again. But, for now, I’ll read this one, that one, and the other one…Boy, do we miss The Big Dog…
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:58 am
That’s right Crazy.. the Bucs have never hit on a Draft pick in all of history…. miserable much smh
August 3rd, 2026 at 6:42 am
👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆
Like who? Example?
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:04 am
I believe the line will be fine if A-Rob (10 year vet) plays up to his past levels and Kancey has GOT to stay healthy for once…
Those are the two big question marks for me.
I’m not worried about Vea – he will get a bump in pay and at least play this season in Tampa.
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:05 am
Not worried about VV missing any time this year or being traded. Next year may be a different story, but for me I am just ready to enjoy the season.
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:17 am
I’m not worried about it. Via is not going to forgo a year”s salary at his age.
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:21 am
Mike C I don’t recall saying a word about draft picks. Reading comprehension a problem for you?
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:22 am
Get the fat phuck off the practice field until he stops his hold out!
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:22 am
My only question regarding Vea is – Does our GM view him as a NT or a DT/DE?
Why does it matter? – the appropriate compensation will be based on the position.
Philly just made Davis the highest paid NT at @ $26M AAV.
Philly just made Cater the highest paid DT at @ $38M AAV.
See the difference?
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:22 am
If Bain’s really really good, Vea’s value could even go up
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:28 am
SportTrac has Vea’s expected AAV at @ $26M per…
I guess they also believe Vea is a NT.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:00 am
Bain, Vita, Kancey, and Yaya/Walker. OMG were going to run over the NFL
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:20 am
VV deserves a raise. We need him this year. Figure something out, JL.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:22 am
Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are 25 and 26, respectively. Vea is 31. Licht absolutely should NOT be using either of those guys as comps. If that’s what Vita is looking for – bye.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:36 am
@ Stormy
I agree but Vea has our GM over the proverbial barrel here.
Vea will be 31 all this season as he turns 32 on Feb 5th.
I believe Vea will still be useful for another year or so barking any major injuries…
So why not give him a new 3 year deal (really only 2 years) at @ $22-23M with $40M guaranteed.
Stack the guaranteed money up front then cut him after year 2.
Unless we just want to tank this season and go into full rebuild mode…
Honestly I am fine with either solution at this point.
I don’t see the Bucs as a serious contender this season.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:38 am
*barring not barking.
ugh.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:10 am
Robinson was a great signing and I like how Roberts, Kancey and Bain all have Miami roots. It seems providential. Maybe Capehart will surprise, too. They will be an interesting group even if no Vea.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:12 am
I’m excited as hell for Bain. But he is still playing a position where rookies traditionally struggle. That being said, I have a hard time believing that his presence won’t be felt immediately.
Pay Vita!! Bake can wait..
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:22 am
Bucs will pay Vita…not worried
GO BUCS!!!!
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:59 am
Greg bares an undeniable resemblance to his pop.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:04 am
Calias Campbell 40,has produced his whole career, like Derek Henry he spends alot of money on his body in the off-season, obviously Vea does the doritos and video game work outs No sweating a trade here.plus hes ” tweaked” ..He needs to take the Evans Express” Out with the old and weak in with the new..
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:23 am
Steve V is right.
Vea has not evolved his entire career.
He’s the strongest man in the NFL by nature.
So he’s been lazy and complacent his entire career.
He has never looked as good as his rookie year.
He has just gotten fatter Ànd fatter with more grey hair.
He drinks a lot and plays sadly. He looks like the kind of person who hates football.
He only plays for the money. He never plays angry.
He has the raw talent to be a pro bowler Ànd hall of famer.
He took his god given abilities for granted if you ask me.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:31 am
“My only question regarding Vea is – Does our GM view him as a NT or a DT/DE?”
He’s a defensive tackle man, the only one out to lunch on that is you.
Maybe one day, we can have an honest discussion about the positional flexibility asked of our defensive front and how gap alignment blurs the line of what positional box fans put players in.
Nose tackle is just a variation of defensive tackle, tried telling you but you don’t want to listen Marine.
3/5 Man alignment he’s a likely lining up at NT, but sometime he lines up as a 1-tech shading either side of the center, still a defensive tackle. 4 man alignment, same thing w/multiple techniques to play.
You’re trying to turn connect 4 into vertical chess.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:41 am
He absolutely won’t sit out. Career suicide. Only way he does is if he is good retiring which I highly doubt he is.
We’re also not trading him, that’s been made clear.
It’s all posturing and Vea has no cards but to end his career and I truly don’t believe he wants to do that.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:41 am
He absolutely won’t sit out. Career suicide. Only way he does is if he is good retiring which I highly doubt he is.
We’re also not trading him, that’s been made clear.
It’s all posturing and Vea has no cards but to end his career and I truly don’t believe he wants to do that.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:54 am
Uncle.
August 3rd, 2026 at 11:22 am
@ warren
OK. You win…
What do you believe Vea is worth?
You know what my suggestion is. I already put my sack on the train track…
Now it’s your turn Buc brother.
August 3rd, 2026 at 11:32 am
@ warren
Keep in mind…
It isn’t what we think.
What matters is what our GM thinks.
If Vea wants Carter money – forget about it…
Bye-bye.
Don’t let the door hit you in the…. you know – you know – the thing…
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:02 pm
“What do you believe Vea is worth?”
Vita is ranked 13th at his position, but will be paid like the 18th highest at his position. I don’t think Vita wants top-DT in the league money, I think he wants more guaranteed money and a possible extension based of what Suh said about his sitation.
I say offer him a figure in the top 15 and slap 2 years onto his current deal. I’m for any reasonable solution to appease Vea and have him feeling secure by week 1 or at some point in the first quarter/third of the season.
Vita makes the other 10 guys on the field jobs’ easier, our QB wants >$50M/per and even he doesn’t do that on a consistent basis or just being available. Vita does, and is asking for a fraction of the money relative to the difference in how DT is compensated compared to QB.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:15 pm
@ warren
“Vita is ranked 13th at his position”
You are obfuscating again…
Let’s try to make this more simple.
Step #1 – What is Vita Vea’s position?
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:30 pm
@Marine
You’re being obtuse on purpose
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:39 pm
If vea plays with a healthy kancey bain and yaya yall that’s a problem for o-lineman. Vea gets a double team and breaks thru them and so everyone else will eat. Biggest problem is kancey staying healthy. Honestly they should move him outside and Bain inside and flip flop to help keep kancey healthy.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:40 pm
@ w
How do you believe our GM is looking at this negotiation?
Vea is mainly a NT.
He deserves NT pay.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:45 pm
@ MarineBuc Says: “Stack the guaranteed money up front then cut him after year 2.”
Why TF would you do THAT, when you can friggin’ get at least a 3RD-ROUND PICK. And, just blowing up or Salary/DEAD CAP. AND, if you give HIM 3-YEARS and are having a real bad season… THEN, he becomes almost IMPOSSIBLE to move at HIS AGE, with 3-FRESH YEARS remaining on his contract. You’re definitely NOT getting and 2nd or 3rd, that’s FOR SURE. You’d do REAL WELL just to get a 5TH, if you’re lucky!!!! The only thing that MAKES SENSE, is to go ahead and guarantee THIS season, and a few million dollars for NEXT SEASON, on a 1-YEAR extension, at about $22-$24.5MIL. He’s not getting anything any better than THAT. It’s a really good fair deal, for Vea.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:58 pm
“How do you believe our GM is looking at this negotiation?
Vea is mainly a NT.
He deserves NT pay.”
I think you’re the only one grappling with what position(s) Vea plays and you’re trying to make that misunderstanding mean something it does not mean.
Jason Licht knows Vea is a DT, that’s what he was drafted as when Mike Smith was still our DC running a predominately 4-3 base defense.
You’re trying to bottle neck the projected pay scale based off your own misunderstanding, which I find a little humorous.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:18 pm
@ W
OK.
So what is Vea Worth?
Exact money and years please… Plus how much money is guaranteed?
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:24 pm
@Marine
Error 402, no more freebies for you, you’re wasting time.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:39 pm
@ W
Come on man!
After all that?
LOL.
OK.
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:57 pm
Who knows. there may be certain packages when AQM /Walker and YaYa are on the edges and Bain, Vea and Kancey are in the interior. Thats some freaking lineup!
August 3rd, 2026 at 1:58 pm
@ Melvin
“a 1-YEAR extension, at about $22-$24.5MIL. He’s not getting anything any better than THAT. It’s a really good fair deal, for Vea.”
I agree.
But my Buc buddy “Warrin” thinks Vea is so valuable that the Glazers will need to give him part ownership of the franchise in order to play just one more season…
Can you believe that!?