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 12:38 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.
August 15th, 2026 at 3:23 am
If it’s the Bills, I am DEMANDING that it’s BIG BAD Deone Walker in return, AND a 3rd. Regardless, Deone Walker has to be part of the deal. The Bills won’t want to do it, since you KNOW they’re already ‘licking their chops’ with the thought of having him AND Vea both together. It’s just the perfect combo… Vea eating up all that space on the inside, and the flexibility with moving all of the 6’7” 350lbs of BIG Deone on both sides of the line, and steamrolling off the EDGE’s. You CAN’T BLOCK either one of them straight up 1-on-1, and then you’ve got their Linebackers and Blitzers coming in… It could REALLY put them over-the-top in the AFC. It’s an ‘all-in’ 💯 SUPER BOWL MOVE. Allen already has his best group of WR’s and weapons, and when fully healthy, James Cook is a Top-5 or 6 Back. They’d be awfully tough to handle, and a definite overwhelming ’favorite’ in the AFC. If you can’t get BIG DEONE, then you have to at least get a 2nd. And, in that case I’m going either Chicago or San Fran, because I think it’d have a much higher chance of becoming a much higher 2nd-Round Pick… Since, I can see a scenario where neither one of those teams reach the playoffs, just due to their divisions alone.
August 15th, 2026 at 3:30 am
Yeah, I don’t see very many O-Lines being able to contain the both of them together, for very long. Depending on just how ‘motivated’ Vea truly is at this point. Yeah. It’d be a fricking NIGHTMARE. Very. Scary.
August 15th, 2026 at 3:42 am
Vea is just going to have to get over it and past all of this. Cause, he’s only hurting HIMSELF. And, this is just how NFL contracts work. He’s walking a VERY fiend line here, and if he’s not careful, he’ll find himself in a similar Reddick type of situation, where he DESTROYS his value. I mean, WHAT TF is he thinking!? Does HE really think that ‘sitting-out’ until even Week 4 or 5 is going to (Lmao) get HIM a big ‘extension’ this next upcoming offseason!? LoL. I mean, what’s he planning on doing then… Sitting-Out the entire season, while racking up FINES and losing out on $18-MILLION!? Then, WHAT… Is he just going to RETIRE!? Cause, he’s STILL going to be a BUC next season if he doesn’t. The Bucs CANNOT set a new precedent. They have no other choice, than to dig-in. So, Vea can decide to ‘dig-in’ even deeper if he want… But, he’s gonna LOSE. And, LOSE BIGGGGG.
August 15th, 2026 at 5:54 am
He should of had Coach Suh sooner in his career. He would of already been past the greed
August 15th, 2026 at 6:06 am
Licht is waiting to see if
A: One of OUR DL’s get hurt
B: Someone like the Bills lose one of THEIRS, which means Vita’s value goes way up
August 15th, 2026 at 6:44 am
“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.”
This would be Licht getting fleeced.
August 15th, 2026 at 6:54 am
I’m done. Trade Vita ASAP.
I’ve defended Vea for years because when he’s right, he’s an absolute wrecking ball. But requesting a trade because the Bucs won’t hand you the extension and raise you want? Now we’re hearing he’s “upset” while multiple teams are calling? Enough.
You’re under contract. The Bucs have paid you very well, stood behind you, and built you into a centerpiece of this defense. If that’s no longer good enough, then Jason Licht needs to turn an unhappy 31-year-old DT into premium draft capital while his value is still high.
Bills, Bears, 49ers and others calling? Beautiful. Let them bid against each other. Start at a 1st-round pick and don’t blink. If somebody believes Vita is the missing piece to a Super Bowl run, make them PAY for him.
I’d rather have a hungry young player fighting to become a Buccaneer this year or next year with the draft pick given, than a highly paid veteran fighting his way out of Tampa.
This team has too much talent and too much to play for in 2026 to spend August babysitting somebody’s contract tantrum.
Want out? Door’s open.
Just make sure Tampa gets paid on your way through it.
🔥 LFG!
💀 Next Man Up!!
August 15th, 2026 at 6:57 am
And take your half tucked in Buc jersey “I’m here because I have to be here, but I’m not all-in.” With you on your way out!
🔥 LFG!
August 15th, 2026 at 7:45 am
This must be the Joe that wants Baker to prove himself (again!).
Where here did Joe express wanting to trade Vea? Nowhere. –Joe
Bi*ched about Deans play until they got rid of him, then bi*ched about that… wants to trade Veta. Having watched football I thought you might have learned a little… depth can be gone in a second and getting rid of of one if not your top d lineman over being cheap is not a good look for the organization. Way not give him a 2 year extension and bump his salary up where it derives to be.. it makes the ownership look better that also makes the fans players happy . The last thing you do is get rid of the top fan favorite. Trading him should never be the option. And coming up behind on the sideline after the guy when another player was being interviewed didn’t seem like a guy unhappy. Just wants to be treated fairly . This Joe basically wants to blow the whole team up. Dumb..
August 15th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Can we Trade Vea and Bowles in a Gruden like deal….
August 15th, 2026 at 8:17 am
How does that song go?
Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah
Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah
Hey-Hey-Hey-See you later amigo!
Come on man – Let’s flush this turd already!
I agree with Munch on this one.
Trade him and get it over with!
August 15th, 2026 at 8:21 am
Maybe a third and a good CB.
August 15th, 2026 at 8:26 am
@ Bojim
I agree.
A CB and a 3rd for the big fat turd.
August 15th, 2026 at 8:29 am
No trade for draft pick…especially a second rounder which seems to be Lichts worst round…straight up for a pro bowl corner! Our thinnest position…and move on soon so new CB can learn the playbook
August 15th, 2026 at 8:31 am
Get a high quality CB. I’d be thrilled to see him shipped to Chicago for Johnson or Stevenson. Johnson is a 2x pro bowler who just finished an injury riddled 2025 season which was yr 2 of his 4yr payday contract and he’s already chirping how this is a contract year for him. So swap them, Johnson is in a prove it yr and he knows it, so give him promises and a new environment.
Stevenson, who I prefer, is actually in a contract yr but you can kick the proverbial can (headache) down the road. And imaging this….an actual 6 ft 215lb DB on the bucs who can cover. A man sized CB!
Bonus. Vea gets to freeze his @ss off and pay up in taxes for being a biatch
August 15th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Another, more selfish bonus, I can wear my Vea bucs jersey to the SNF game and possibly get a few high fives for it.
August 15th, 2026 at 9:38 am
If he is traded, I hope it is for a third round pick with another later round thrown in (maybe a 5th), which is what the market says he is worth. With only a couple of exceptions, the Bucs third round draft pick has played far better than their second round pick in recent years.
August 15th, 2026 at 9:46 am
Get a one and offer to pay this year salary
Next year is the qb draft
August 15th, 2026 at 10:55 am
See, I view it in a different way. If you do not trade him, he’ll have to play harder to earn a deal, whether it is from the Bucs or another team. If he gets injured…good luck to him getting bigger money next year.
August 15th, 2026 at 10:56 am
A Vita Vea playing for a contract is worth more than a second round pick.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:05 am
It’s crazy how many people want us to give a 31-year-old plus defensive tackle a new deal.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:51 am
BA’s Red Pen Says:
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.
———-
Is this team winning the SB this season?
Also, come week 1, having a lingering back issue, not only ends up eating up a roster spot, it costs you a valuable pick going forward.
The other option, however, is to give the man a big-time extension.
The worst thing the Bucs can do is to do nothing. When does that ever work out well? Vita is a valuable player, and has earned a big time extension, so get a deal done. Or trade him. One of the two.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Unless you’re giving up a 1st pick then no one in the NFC need not inquire about a trade. Don’t make teams in your conference stronger
August 15th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Who said it was a nice draft choice. The highest I heard was a third. Chicken scratch for an All Pro DL. Trading for A CB is a waste too. I am on Vea’s side about being paid more money and if the Bucs were wise they would do it. At ths same time no one put a gun to Vea’s head to sign the contract. This cheapskate standoff is all due to the Glazers miserly ways. Maybe if they fired all of the relatives they have working for the team they would have the money to sign Vea.
August 15th, 2026 at 11:57 am
The way Licht drafts busts any draft choice is a joke.
August 15th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Rod Munch Says:
Is this team winning the SB this season?
***************
There are a lot of fans living in the past who think this Bucs team is a contender. Playing in the worst division in football probably inflates hopes more than reality suggests they should be.
August 15th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
All three of those teams will be picking in the mid to late twenties. The niners could be an exception if they deal with a significant amount of injuries. Their roster is aging so that has a solid chance of happening.
If you can get the three in a bidding war, then flip a pick back to them to get their first. They’re all-in teams at this point. If they could get a third back and they’re picking at 25+ then vea is worth it.
August 15th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
3rd and a 5th for a one year rental in Vea. Lucky to get that. No one is giving us a 1st or a 2nd. He’s got maybe 1 or 2 good years left. This shouldn’t even be a problem. Pay him for THIS year and let him walk to UFA. Licht is becoming a problem. Get some picks for the next regime.
August 15th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
If we cant pay VV, how do we pay for quality proven CB in this theoretical scenario? Not to mention Baker.
Bills Bears & 49ers need VV – but so do we. Swapping compensatory 3rd for one other 3rd’s doesn’t make much sense to me.
We finally have quality D Line with some depth for rotation – which is how to compete deep into playoffs. Our best defensive lineman for someone’s OK corner? How does that make our overall defensive unit better?
August 15th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
He didn’t look upset when he was playing around on the TV camera last night
August 15th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Gotti-Dog-05-20-84 Says:
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……
—————————————————————————————
ROFL!!! i thought the exact same thing but Mike might play 8 or 9 games this year. He’s hurt already. I’m ready for the Hurst experiment. We’ve had enough of the HURT experience.
August 15th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
LouisFriend Says:
There are a lot of fans living in the past who think this Bucs team is a contender. Playing in the worst division in football probably inflates hopes more than reality suggests they should be.
————–
Well, I’m not saying it’s impossible – I mean Seattle just won, so it’s not like the NFC is a powerhouse right now. If Baker actually got hot at the right time, who knows… but the likelihood of that happening is very low.
I’m not saying, however, to trade Vita – I’d give him an extension. But I am saying if the team isn’t going to do that, then just trade him and get what you can right now while he’s still at his maximum value, well, assuming that is at least a 2nd rounder. If teams won’t give up more than that, then the Bucs should leak that they’re not insulting offers and the Bucs will get more in terms of a comp pick, and cut a deal with Vita like promising you won’t tag him or something, which lets him save face. However, counting on comp picks never ever works out, so I wouldn’t expect to get more than like a 6th or 7th since the Bucs always sign guys, which makes comp picks less valuable.
August 16th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
People he asked to be traded! No different then your wife asking for a divorce! Just Go!!
August 16th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Trade him, has when was the last full uninjured season he played. But they gotta get a starter type CB & at least a 3