Contract disputes are part and parcel of the offseason. This has happened with Dexter Lawrence and Taylor Decker before.And now it is happening with Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea. Vea requested a trade after attempting to secure an extension with the Buccaneers. The team had selected him as the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.All these years, he played for them under two contracts. Twice, his contract was restructured to save Tampa Bay cap space. Under his current contract, he was going to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 [next season].Like any other player, he asked for an extension before the current final season. But after failed attempts at a contract extension, he requested a trade. Analysts quickly came up with ideal landing spots for him. We’ll be discussing the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants here.
New York linked to Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea in Dexter Lawrence II’s absence
CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns suggests the New York Giants for Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive lineman Vita Vea.The Giants traded their interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. Lawrence is a massive loss to New York in run defense. So, if they could go for Vea, they could reduce the impact of losing such a stout stopper.
Vita Vea is better than Packers’ defensive linemen
CBS Sports’ JP Acosta suggests the Green Bay Packers for Buccaneers DL Vita Vea. Heavy Sports’ Parker Hurley explains how Vea could fit into Green Bay.Vea recorded 17 sacks in the past three seasons. Devonte Wyatt, who is the highest-paid defensive lineman of the Packers, recorded 14.5 sacks in the past three seasons. Karl Brooks had 8 sacks in the same time frame. Javon Hargrave got injured in 2024 and has not been the same since.He is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list. So, Vita Vea looks like the best run defender of the Packers group, if they trade for him.
Vita Vea contract details
As per Spotrac, the 31-year-old Washington alum signed a four-year, $71 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus, $33 million in guaranteed money, and a $17 million average annual salary. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn a $17 million base salary while carrying a $22 million cap hit and a $6 million dead cap value.His contract was restructured twice. First, in March 2022, his $9.55 million 2022 base salary was converted into a signing bonus, clearing $7.64 million in cap space for Tampa Bay. Second, in March 2023, his $11.42 million 2023 salary was converted into a signing bonus with an added void year, clearing another $9.1 million in cap space.Michael Ginnitti, Co-Founder and Editor of Spotrac, posted on X on July 28 that if the Buccaneers trade defensive lineman Vita Vea, his new team will acquire a one-year, $18 million non-guaranteed deal.Consequently, the Buccaneers’ dead cap value would become $4 million in 2026 and $2 million in 2027. According to Spotrac’s model, Vea currently carries a $28 million market valuation.According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Vita Vea is projected to sign a two-year, $55 million contract, which gives him a $27 million average annual income.
Vita Vea trade rumors
| Category | Details |
| Player | Vita Vea |
| Current Team | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Rumored Teams | Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants |
| Contract Status | 2026 is the last year of his 2021 contract |
| Contract Value | Vea signed a four-year, $71 million contract, including a $4 million signing bonus, $33 million in guaranteed money, with an average annual salary of $17 million |
| Cap Hit | In 2026, Vea is scheduled to earn a $17 million base salary while carrying a $22 million cap hit and a $6 million dead cap value |
| Total Career Earnings | $76 million over 8 NFL seasons |
| Years Left On The Contract | UFA in 2027, 1 year left. |
