Vita Vea Talks
August 13th, 2026
Vita Vea talks to NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew after Bucs-Jets practice in New Jersey yesterday.
Bucs monster defensive tackle Vita Vea isn’t really a media kind of guy.
Vea’s not a bad dude. Not at all. Once in a while he may talk to a reporter, but really not so much about football and certainly not about X’s and O’s.
(Vea loved to talk to Joe about former Bucs offensive consultant Tom Moore.) For Vea, media responsibilities are mostly an exercise in comedy. If you ask him a question, he often tries to turn it into a joke or a one-liner.
In other words, Vea is very evasive in interviews.
Joe can only remember twice when Vea was serious when peppered with questions. Once was after he caught a touchdown pass in Atlanta. The other was when he was telling Joe that Robert Hainsey would be OK at center after Ryan Jensen went down. In fact, Vea actually sought out Joe after a practice to tell Joe that about Hainsey.
Vea wouldn’t be the first and surely won’t be the last NFL player who doesn’t embrace the Fourth Estate.
So Joe saw NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew talk to Vea yesterday after the Bucs-Jets practice in New Jersey. That got Joe’s attention. Vea talked???
(So far this summer, Vea has been kept away from the local pen and mic club by the Bucs.)
MJD told NFL Network viewers of his conversation with Vea, who asked the Bucs for a trade:
“We spoke a little bit about kind of where he’s living,” MJD said. “He’s saying he’s staying in the Tampa area. He doesn’t want to go home [back to California] because he may get a little bit bigger. I was like, ‘How does that happen?’
“But he is excited. He’s hoping the talks continue there on his contract. He’s still coaching his guys. We saw the defensive line look really good with Reuben Bain, and [Vea is] excited.
“Hopefully, he gets a chance to get out there and play with him.”
Like Vea, MJD is a San Francisco Bay Area native.
Joe can confirm what MJD said about Vea coaching his current teammates. A couple of young Bucs defenders have told Joe that Vea taught them moves and techniques they now use in their arsenal.
it’s good that Vea is engaged with the younger guys. He may have demanded a trade but he apparently hasn’t thrown in the towel on the team. At least not yet.
NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo noted the Bucs and Vea’s agent are still engaged in talks. Garafolo didn’t detail whether the two parties are anywhere close.
Joe would really, really like to see what this newfangled Bucs defense looks like with Rueben Bain, Josiah Trotter and Vea on the field together.
Joe has a hunch if those three, healthy, can ever get on the same field again, you won’t read Joe typing about a soft Bucs defense.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:07 am
Tough to run on those 3. I want to see how this front 7 plays with Vea.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:13 am
I hope they reach an agreement people love to talk but if we lose vea it will be a big upset for our front 7
August 13th, 2026 at 1:37 am
Yawn. In other news… The RAYS now have THE BEST record in ALL of MLB today!!!! It’s a GrrrrREAT DAY. Though, I don’t believe that I will EVER get over the Wander Franco BS. Just Think… THE BEST duo (especially 25 and under), since BENCH and ROSE (I can’t think of a better, more exciting and dynamic). Wander & Junior. But, now can only DREAM. Just. Makes. You. SICK.
Vea is full of it. He might not be a bad dude, but he’s a real ‘stupid’ dude. Especially, for allowing someone lie SUH to get into HIS head. NEXT.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:39 am
Vita looks like he’s in incredible shape. Hopefully we get to see him in action and get the results of it.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:44 am
If they were planning on trading Vea, they wouldn’t be in contract negotiations. They will get it done because both sides want to get it done.
August 13th, 2026 at 2:12 am
Well this is reassuring. I was hoping it was a contract tactic, he’s pulling a White, but actually has stats and a good attitude unlike White had. I get it. Not ideal, but it is what it is.
August 13th, 2026 at 2:21 am
Hey Melvin, the Rays almost traded Junior (then at AA Montgomery) along with Carson Williams (who was at the time, the Rays #1 prospect) and some more prospects to rent Ohtani for the playoff run in 2023. The Angels owner nixed the deal. Arte Moreno made a bone headed decision which benefits Rays fans today. Imagine how bad it would be if the Rays did do that trade and Junior was an MVP candidate for the Halos? I am just happy the Ray are playing at such a high level for now and the stadium issue might be resolved soon.
August 13th, 2026 at 3:27 am
A deal needs to get done. He’s too important for this defense to not get taken care of (granted he still has a year left). Always been a good teammate. Keeps his head down and works hard. Is a top player at his position. Rarely misses games. That’s not someone you neglect as an organization. You take care of those guys
August 13th, 2026 at 4:23 am
If you’re going to pay him, then get him paid.
If you’re not going to pay him, then trade him now, while he has his max value and you still have time to try to figure out what you’re going to do without him.
Doing nothing is just beyond stupid.
August 13th, 2026 at 4:45 am
Licht must be looking to sign another player – hopefully a CB – otherwise slow walking these deals makes no sense. Get VV back to work. Put a contract together and let’s play ball. It’s not like the numbers have changed… unless there are players we don’t know about.
August 13th, 2026 at 5:58 am
Rod Munch … ‘Doing nothing is just beyond stupid.’
Takes two to tango, and maybe Licht can’t find a decent trade partner. Money-wise I’ve got a feeling that Licht’s hands are pretty much tied by the Glazers right now (committing too much to older players right now could well mean that they’ll lose a couple of younger studs in 2027 & beyond?). Licht’s walking a tight rope salary CAP-wise.
August 13th, 2026 at 6:32 am
I want one more season with Vea here, man. with THIS D line! if he walks after and we draft a nose tackle early, sure. but let’s give him a bump in pay for the year and get him back out there!
August 13th, 2026 at 6:46 am
Be a big DT in his early 30’s.
Have one year left on your contract to a team whose defense you know like the back of your hand.
Dread another long training camp when all you really need it two weeks to get ready.
Drag out negotiations to meet your timeliness.
Sign a deal you would have signed a week before camp.
Happens all the time.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Something will get done with in 2 weeks before the season, no need to worry, but be warned, hold in players usually get injured
August 13th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Guarantee Vea’s 2026 contract, sign him to an incentive laced contract for 2027 and beyond. This can’t be that hard.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:45 am
“He’s saying he’s staying in the Tampa area. He doesn’t want to go home [back to California] because he may get a little bit bigger. I was like, ‘How does that happen?’”
This is the funniest thing I’ve read this morning
“Joe would really, really like to see what this newfangled Bucs defense looks like with Rueben Bain, Josiah Trotter and Vea on the field together.”
Same, wouldn’t be shocked to hear he’s seeing all of our guys working together and it’s getting him antsy to get back on the field. Never looked at Vea as a malcontent by this hold in stuff, his problem is dollars and cents not Xs & Os
August 13th, 2026 at 8:16 am
FortMeyersDave — in another part of that Rays history.
Tim Beckham was the 1st (and 1st overall) draft pick of the Rays in 2008.
He stayed with the Rays until 2017 when the Rays traded him to Baltimore for Tobias Myers.
In 2021, Tobias Myers was traded by the Rays to Cleveland straight up for Junior Caminero.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:18 am
Unfortunate he never showed up in shape when he planned to play.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:22 am
I agree with most in here. It’s kinda poop or get off the pot time.
If Vita is set in getting a huge new deal that is 3 years or longer, then pull off a trade. If Vita is looking for a bump in pay for this year and wants an additional year added, then do it.
Those saying “the Glazers” are holding this up and JL hands are tied by them, that’s just laughable. The Glazers will let Greenberg and JL crunch the numbers and figure things out. The issue JL has is he has a QB who wants a new deal and paying the NT his demands first could really piss Baker off. Not to mention JL knows he has some younger core pieces like YaYa and Mauch who will be FA next year.
If Vita’s fat feet are truly dug into the sand here, then JL might be forced to trade him. Id not, get it worked out.
Without knowing Vita’s true demands, then blaming JL (or the Glazers) for not getting ot done is ridiculous.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:27 am
I think a deal will get done right before week1
GO BUCS!!!!
August 13th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Bucs could “get by” without VV, RIGHT up until A’Shawn or similar went down, then they’re screwed. I don’t think they trade him unless a contender loses their pro-bowl DT right before the season starts, and they offer a bounty
August 13th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Vea deserves the raise and they could extend him short term. I hope the Bucs do the right thing, pay the man.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:42 am
Would be a big mistake to let a Superbowl champion walk. A key part to being top 10 in run defense.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:56 am
I’d much rather see them spend money on a proven performer like Vera.
He knows what it takes to get to the SB and win a title. A great QB is one thing.
And Baker will never be that QB. He’s an overhyped crybaby who folds under pressure.
Trade Mayfield now and grab a QB in the draft. Especially if we have a new GM and HC\DC after 2026.
We could then add only then make a run at title #3. LFG!!!
August 13th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Get it done already pay VV if you plan to keep him
August 13th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Is he getting daily treatment on his back? What’s the head trainer saying? Has Licht or Bowles asked for an update? It’s BS. Trade him. Nothing worse for team chemistry while your teammates are busting their asses in the heat and you are faking an injury. We need a team leader to call him out.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Sure Melvin, Vea is stupid for letting Suh get in his ear. If he gets some kind of satisfaction in these “talks”, then his hold in will not have been in vain. Then he will be thanking Suh and maybe Bucs fans should thank him also. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:26 am
Diva Vea = Antonio Bryant 2.0 F that guy. He’s a me first kind of guy…
August 13th, 2026 at 10:33 am
It’s useless to ask your questions about injuries this time of year because the team has no obligation or inclination to answer them.
Asking about Egbuka after a practice he limped off the field and spent the rest of the time on the trainers table is fine. But day to day updates on players isn’t gonna be answered.
I think the only way forward here is if they can sweeten the pot enough to get him on the field to finish his contract. I don’t see them giving him a 3-5 year deal for 25 per with a big part guaranteed. They stopped doing that after Jensen and Shaq. Both of those didn’t go well. XL DT plus 30 has an even lower chance of going well. Love Vita and hope he plays for us for many productive years. I just don’t see this getting worked out long term. This year 🤞
August 13th, 2026 at 10:58 am
Joe,
Has anyone heard what kind of money Vea is asking for?
How much of the conflict is over top money vs guaranteed money?
SpoTrac values him at $30 Million per year which the Bucs cannot afford.
If the Vea is insisting on $30 Million per year, the best the Bucs can do is have Vea try to earn it playing his best football ever this season. That benefits the Bucs and earns Vea his best possible paycheck next year.
If Vea will take more reasonable money – a 25% raise to $22.5 Million with another 25% in incentives in increments for play that exceeds his personal bests, the Bucs should make that money available even if it means hard choice at QB and OL.
But, if the money Vea wants is manageable and the issue is years of commitment by the Bucs, it may reflect this being a make or break season for Bowles. And, the Bucs may not want to tie a new regime to old contracts.
I believe in this Bucs team this season, specially the front 7, so I believe that Bowles will stay and Vea should be extended for 3 or 4 years with guaranteed money such as 100% for 2026, 90% for 2027, 75% for 2028, and 50% for 2029.
Vea sitting the season is a loss for the Bucs, but it is Haason Reddick style career suicide for Vea.
If Vea plays his ass off this year under the current contract and shakes the dust off of his heels at the end of a playoff run, that is not a loss for the Bucs.
And, if he sits all season, the Bucs keep in under contract at 2026 contract money until he plays.
And, if the Bucs let him get away with a season long “injury”, the big guy will play for peanuts next year elsewhere.
As Joe reports that Vea usually holds his tongue around the press, it is hard to have insight into his cognitive abilities. But, from the little that I have seen, there seem to be no problems there.
So, while I think that Vea miscalculated when he started this process, I strongly suspect that he realizes that he will be playing for the Bucs on this contract this year, and he is using the leverage that he has to avoid the risk of injury until the season starts.
Then, I think that an angry Vea, with this improved supporting cast, is going to be punishing opposing teams for the preseason embarrassment and giving the Bucs a good look at what they will not have next year.
And, maybe that carries us a ways into the playoffs. At least, I hope so.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:24 am
The soap opera that is The Bucs 2026 Season ( so far ) continues. While “holding in”, several D-Lineman have been insanely topped off…especially Jerry Jones guaranteeing 100 million to Q. Williams.
Maybe it’ll all work out…including Baker betting on himself ( 2 year extension for $100 million seems generous with another crack at free agency would seem to be betting on oneself also ).
If nothing else, 2026 will be an interesting & entertaining season. Can’t wait…
August 13th, 2026 at 11:34 am
@ FortMyersDave – I know. Carson was a TOP-5 MLB Prospect OVERALL, just a couple of years ago. I was listening on the radio the other night when he hit his Homerun, and got his BA up to .100 LoL. He’s probably getting sent back down TODAY (or at least soon), since they picked up Mateo (or whatever) from the Braves. I would’ve pulled the trigger on a Williams for Skubal Trade (especially after just drafting Grady at #2) at this deadline. If only we had Wander… I think THEN, the Rays could’ve afforded to have been MUCH MORE ‘aggressive’ there, in the Skubal Sweepstakes, and beyond.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:48 am
I ran across Vea twice in his rookie year, and talked to him for a total of probably 30 minutes between the two times. I agree he’s not a bad dude. I just wish he wasn’t playing games with the team right now.
When he signed the long term deal, he probably loved the fact that it was a long term deal and probably didn’t take the fact that long deals end up getting surpassed in salary almost immediately and start looking underpaid in the last year or two of them, as is the case in Vea’s current situation.
August 13th, 2026 at 11:51 am
@ Oscar – Yeah, then good-luck with that. Vea has ZERO leverage whatsoever. He either, friggin’ RETIRES, and walks away from about $18-MILLION this season, OR he gets moved a sometime before the deadline… But, that’s ONLY if he agrees to actually PLAY FOR that team. Otherwise, he remains a BUC going into NEXT SEASON, while continuing to rack up FINES. It’s up to him… PLAY NOW, or RETIRE and walkaway from $18-MIL. Seems like, a very easy obvious decision to make. SUH in all of this is currently HURTING HIM, and that is most likely, NOT changing anytime soon. He keeps it up and his ‘reality’ is starting to look a lot more like REDDICK’s.
August 13th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Vita may be in some semblance of shape. But its time for him to be on the field..NOW. Give him 2 to 4 mil extra this yr and let him hit the market after the season. He is greatly needed for this season. Time to ball Vita or get gone.