Buccaneers, DT Vita Vea reportedly agree to 1-year, $30 million extension
· Yahoo Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea have agreed to a 1-year, $30 million extension, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
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Vea had been holding in at training camp, hoping his contract situation would be resolved. The defensive tackle initially requested a trade, but Tampa Bay remained adamant that it wasn't interested in moving him.
The Buccaneers instead focused on working out a contract extension for the veteran. Vea was set to play in 2026, the final year of his four-year, $71 million extension that kicked in ahead of the 2023 season after he played in 2022 on the fifth-year option.
Now, the defensive tackle is linked to Tampa Bay through the 2027 season.
Vea was drafted 12th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. Since then, he has developed into one of the more consistent defensive tackles in the league. One of the strongest aspects of his game was his frame. Vea helps to clog up the middle of the defensive line thanks to his 6-4, 347 lb. frame.
The defensive tackle started all 17 games last season for the Buccaneers. He finished with 34 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks. Vea has had at least 4.5 sacks in each of the last four seasons.
His career-high came in 2024 when he finished with 7.0 sacks on 42 total tackles. The performance helped him earn the second Pro Bowl nod of his career.
Vea's first Pro Bowl season was in 2021. He played in 16 games and had 4.0 sacks with 23 total tackles, including 12 quarterback hits.
The defensive tackle was with the Buccaneers when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl 55.
Vea was a hold-in at training camp, which meant he was present but not working out. This status is different from a hold-out where he is away from the team. Vea being a hold-in helped him avoid fines from the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay and its resigned defensive tackle will now turn their attention to their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.