Todd Bowles Calls Vita Vea His “Centerpiece “
August 21st, 2026
Happy coach.
Boy, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was sure breathing a sigh of relief when he had his Thursday press briefing.
Bowles was enjoying life knowing Vita Vea likely will be around another two years. And now Bowles can go back to banking on Vea anchoring his defense.
Just a couple of weeks after his agent demanded a trade, Vea and the Bucs agreed on a raise and contract extension after cooler heads prevailed. Basically, Vea gets a $6 million raise this year and a fat $24 million for 2027.
For Bowles, it was Christmas in August.
“We know what he brings to our defense – he’s the centerpiece of it,” Bowles said. “Obviously, he’s a big part in the run game and the pass rush as well.
“So, to get him back in the fold and start getting him working in with the other guys is good.”
It’s better than good. Joe doesn’t think it is nuts to suggest with Calijah Kancey, A’Shawn Robinson and Vea, the Bucs may have one of the best interior defensive lines in the league. Certainly the best in the NFC South landfill.
The trick will be keeping these guys healthy, especially Kancey. But at least the Bucs have really good depth at defensive tackle.
August 21st, 2026 at 9:06 am
We’re about to play the second preseason game, and there isn’t anyone on IR yet. I think this is going to be the big year when we don’t get any huge injuries
August 21st, 2026 at 9:09 am
Beeej don’t jinx..
AND…VV is one huge centerpiece……
August 21st, 2026 at 9:13 am
Can’t forget Elijah Roberts and DeMonte Capehart, Joe. Those guys looked good against Jets’ depth players, and honestly I’m looking forward to seeing both those guys @KC.
Having Vita is also going to help keep Trotter & Anzalone cleaner, especially in run defense. So, when teams try to run those stretch runs on us, they don’t have to worry about the center & guards gettin to the second level to impede their pursuit. Obviously, his presence is going to make those A-gap blitz lanes less congested as well.
August 21st, 2026 at 9:22 am
Vita is needed even more with the lack of CBs on this roster….
DLine is looking solid….we should play CK94 more on the edge to avoid injuries…slide him inside on 3rd down
GO BUCS!!!!
August 21st, 2026 at 9:36 am
How has Kancey looking so far? Haven’t heard you mention him much if at all.
August 21st, 2026 at 10:01 am
Looks like the Chiefs are pretty beat up. We have to show out against them when our first team is in there:
The playing time at quarterback will be distributed among the backups:
No Mahomes.
Justin Fields is expected to start and play approximately the first 1.5 quarters.
Rookie Garrett Nussmeier will follow for roughly 1.5 quarters.
Fourth-string quarterback Chris Oladokun is slated to play the fourth quarter.
Several other key first-string players are also expected to sit out or see limited action:
Trey Smith (Guard) and Josh Simmons (Tackle) are listed as inactive due to injuries.
Jack Cochrane (Linebacker), Chamarri Conner (Safety), Ashton Gillotte (Defensive End), Jeff Caldwell (Wide Receiver), and Jimmy Holiday (Wide Receiver) are also ruled out.
While not explicitly ruled out, other primary starters like Kenneth Walker III and Travis Kelce were held out of the previous game and are unlikely to see significant snaps in this matchup.