NFL Network: Vita Vea Is “Upset;” Bills, Bears And 49ers Among Teams Wanting Vea Via Trade
August 14th, 2026
The Joe typing here has said many times that the Vita Vea contract saga is destined to end in a trade if the rest of the Buccaneers’ defensive line and key edge rushers remain healthy through August.
Vea requested a trade weeks ago. He wants out. He could have just said he’s holding in (or out), but Vea took it a giant step further. Why? Because the Bucs won’t give him the contract extension and raise he wants.
So why keep Vea if he’s so darn unhappy and a nice trade return is on the table? Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is no fool.
Tonight, NFL Network reporter/insider Mike Garofolo was on scene at the Bucs-Jets preseason game and issued a report on Vea. Twice Garofolo said Vea is “upset.” Not once did Garofolo mention the back injury Vea allegedly has, the one nobody believes he suffered two-plus weeks ago, and the one that’s allegedly keeping him from practicing.
In the Friday video below, Garofolo reports the Bills, Bears and 49ers, among other teams, have contacted the Bucs about Vea. Garofolo adds that Licht doesn’t want to trade Vea. Whether that’s true or not is unclear.
Joe is confident Licht won’t get caught with his pants down. He’ll wait to see how healthy his front-7 emerges from the preseason. If there are injuries, the Bucs are likely to keep Vea and wait out his 2026 return. Vea would lose more than $1 million per game if he chooses not to play in the regular season.
But if the front-7 survives the summer healthy and deep, then look for Licht to be content accepting a second-round pick for Vea. If that many teams want him, that probably will be the price tag.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: Teams have checked on Vita Vea’s availability (the #Bills, #Bears and #49ers among them) but the #Buccaneers remain steadfast they’re not trading him and have kept the lines of communication open on a potential new deal. pic.twitter.com/V4tdIQt2Xy
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 14, 2026
August 14th, 2026 at 11:09 pm
If you’re going to keep him, give him a new deal.
If you’re not going to give him a new deal, then trade him now, since he’s got a good amount of value — and no, you’re not going to get more at the trade deadline, this isn’t MLB, each week a guy isn’t on your team makes them less valuable.
Just get something done one way or another.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:20 pm
How does a second round pick next year help us win games this year? Trading him is nonsensical IMO. He has no leverage and he is all about money so he’s not going to sit out any regular season games and get fined.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:20 pm
Keep driving up the price in draft value. Very smart. If the draft value is not good enough then pay him. It’s a win win imo…if Licht plays his cards right.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:24 pm
How much would we save if we released Braswell?
August 14th, 2026 at 11:31 pm
Trade him for a CB and lets roll
August 14th, 2026 at 11:33 pm
And he can keep on being upset! Take his big ol pineapple eating behind down the road!!
August 14th, 2026 at 11:35 pm
The Bucs are negotiating with Vea’s agent on more money
They will not trade him.
Unless they get a 1st rounder…which they won’t.
A 3rd is all they’ll be offered at best …and if they accept that, they might as well trade Mayfield and tank
August 14th, 2026 at 11:59 pm
I think they will trade him but it won’t be until after pre season when they do roster cuts. My guess is they get a late 2nd round pick cause teams interested in him all made the playoffs last year and will probably make deep run in the playoffs this year. They are not going to pay Vita and Baker and to be honest locking up a QB is more important than Vita. His 18 million can go towards Baker or other players next year. If they keep him and don’t give him a new contract it will be a distraction all year.
August 15th, 2026 at 12:12 am
Let me preface this with “I’M NOT BEING SERIOUS!!”
What would be hilarious would be to trade him to the 49ers for a draft pick…..and Mike Evans!! He doesn’t have a no trade clause in his new contract sooooo……
August 15th, 2026 at 12:32 am
Bucs know what they are doing. Vita will leave or he won’t. We will still have Bowles, all is well.
August 15th, 2026 at 12:38 am
Don’t trade with anyone in the nfc. Give him to Cleveland or Miami
August 15th, 2026 at 12:51 am
Trade him. Could really use a veteran db
August 15th, 2026 at 1:00 am
Sorry, I think that it’s B.S. that a player refuses to perform in the final year of his mutually-agreed contract. Tells a lot about a person.
August 15th, 2026 at 1:04 am
Do the Bucs plan on playing chicken with Vea when week 1 of the season arrives?
If I were them I wouldn’t want an angry Samoan in the locker room because the team forced him to play or not get paid at all. I don’t think he’d be a toxic presence, but why create the situation where it could happen?
Vea’s been an excellent player and good citizen for 8 years. Pay him enough to satisfy his 2026 salary demands or trade him.
August 15th, 2026 at 1:13 am
Don’t give him anything and let him play out his last year what is he gonna tank and tank his future contract on another team I doubt it he doesn’t have any leverage and the trade wouldn’t be worth it at this point in his career at his age and with one year left on his contract if they were gonna trade him then they should have done it last year it’s too late now.
August 15th, 2026 at 1:15 am
Irishmist Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 11:24 pm
How much would we save if we released Braswell?
Bucs will save $294,000
August 15th, 2026 at 1:18 am
The Bucs have all of the leverage here-minus the inevitable Kancey injury.