With quarterback Baker Mayfield set to be a free agent after the season, rumors have already begun spawning about his future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he isn’t the only player on the team with contract problems.
Defensive tackle Vita Vea is entering the final year of his contract as well. As he seeks out a new deal, Vea hasn’t be participating at minicamp, via Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
“The defensive tackle market is now into the [30 millions],” Garafolo said. “This is well above where Vea is, the market has gone up significantly. The fact he is in the final year of his deal, hasn’t gotten an extension to this point, is part of the reason he isn’t participating.”
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: #Buccaneers DT Vita Vea wasn’t practicing at minicamp today and hasn’t been for OTAs in the spring. I’m told it’s related to the two-time Pro Bowler’s contract, as Vea is entering the final year of his deal from 4+ years ago. pic.twitter.com/KMd1MzQAid
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 17, 2026
Vea signed a four-year, $71 million contract extension with the Buccaneers in 2022. With the going rate for top flight defensive tackles going up, Vea is looking to cash in. In turn, Tampa Bay must be prepared to open their checkbooks to keep their defensive star long-term.
Since arriving to the franchise in 2018, the defensive tackles has appeared in 112 games, starting 107 of them. He has put up 256 tackles, 79 quarterback hits and 35 sacks. During the 2025 campaign, Vea registered 34 tackles, 13 quarterback hits and 4.5 sacks over all 17 games. He earned a 72.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 20/134 defensive lineman. His 77 pass rush grade ranked 12th.
After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Buccaneers are attempting to make their triumphant return in 2026. Defensively, that will become much more difficult without Vea. And it looks like a new deal will be required to get him back on the gridiron.
With quarterback Baker Mayfield set to be a free agent after the season, rumors have already begun spawning about his future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he isn’t the only player on the team with contract problems. Defensive tackle Vita Vea is entering the final year of his contract as well.