Bucs defensive deal with Vita Vea was current for the primary day of necessary mini-camp on Tuesday. However he wasn’t taking part like the remainder of the staff.
Vea was in shorts, a jersey and a ball cap as he walked across the apply fields on the AdventHealth Coaching Middle. Head coach Todd Bowles was requested about Vea and responded that it wasn’t an harm that was stopping the Bucs’ huge man from being a full participant.
We now have the reply that Bowles didn’t outright say, however we suspected, due to NFL Insider Mike Garafolo.
Garafolo reviews that Vea’s non-participation is because of him wanting his contract addressed. That is recognized across the league as a “hold in,” which is the place a participant reviews to the staff facility for a compulsory setting like mini-camp or coaching camp however refuses to take part. A “hold out” is the place a participant doesn’t report and is subjected to fines by the staff for refusing to indicate up.
The Bucs went by this with Tristan Wirfs in 2024 the place he was a “hold in” for necessary mini-camp earlier than getting his contract extension throughout the first week of coaching camp. Wirfs did take part in coaching camp, however solely the person intervals and never any 11-on-11 classes till he acquired his new contract.
Will probably be fascinating to see what occurs with Vea, who’s within the final 12 months of a four-year, $71 million extension that he signed in January of 2022. The 2-time Professional Bowler is because of make $17 million in base wage and one other $1 million in per sport roster bonuses this 12 months.
Garafolo famous Vea’s compensation has fallen properly behind different inside defensive linemen who’ve signed newer offers, corresponding to Chris Jones (2024, $31.75M APY), Jordan Davis (2026, $26M APY) and Dexter Lawrence (2026, $28M APY). However the extra necessary factor to recollect will not be the typical per 12 months of the deal, however the money move.
Because it stands proper now, Vea’s $18 million money due this 12 months ranks not solely behind these three gamers, however 9 others, together with Daron Payne and Kenny Clark. Objectively, Vea is taking part in higher than a number of gamers above him. And none of his wage this 12 months is assured. That shouldn’t be all that necessary as a result of there may be an virtually zero % probability the Bucs would minimize Vea. However for NFL gamers, assured cash gives safety in an unsure occupation.
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Saints QB Tyler Shough – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
What Is Vita Vea Wanting For From The Bucs?
What we don’t have full particulars on proper now’s what Vita Vea, the staff’s first-round decide in 2018, is on the lookout for particularly. It could be a long-term extension or just a market enhance on his wage for 2026. Maybe he’s open to both as long as Tampa Bay addresses his compensation in a roundabout way, form or style earlier than the season begins. We haven’t heard from Vea’s representatives to get readability on their desired final result, nor have we heard if there are open and ongoing negotiations.
We at Pewter Report have beforehand conjectured that the Bucs have been getting ready for a post-Vea world for a number of seasons now. After restructuring his contract in 2023, they’ve opted to not push wage cap hits into the long run for 3 straight offseasons, signaling that they wish to exit his deal after this season with as little lifeless cash as potential.
That’s to not say the staff wouldn’t need him again in 2027, simply they would favor to make that call at the moment moderately than earlier.
Doable Center Floor(s)
In a late Could episode of the Pewter Report Podcast, we lined a potential Vita Vea extension whereas in the end forecasting the probability of a long-term deal as very low. Throughout that train we projected Vea’s asking worth on an extension may very well be as excessive as $27 million per 12 months, whereas the Bucs may counter, in the event that they counter in any respect, as little as $18 million per 12 months. The compromise we noticed was at round $21 million per 12 months on a two-year deal.
There are two potential center grounds the staff may discover to resolve this example. The primary is to not lengthen Vea however give him a market adjustment for 2026. A $3 million bump to $21 million this 12 months would transfer him into the highest 10 in money at his place whereas nonetheless permitting the staff to stroll away clear in 2027 when Vea turns 32.
The second possibility is a well-liked software used across the league. The one-year extension. Tampa Bay used that a number of occasions with former linebacker Lavonte David when he was in his early 30s.
The Bucs may give Vea a one-year extension on his present deal, at say $24 million. That might make his whole remaining deal two years and $42 million. They may then cut up the money flows evenly throughout the 2 years at $21 million every whereas guaranteeing the 2026 wage. It provides Vea the identical bump within the straight elevate situation above whereas additionally successfully giving the staff an possibility on his 2027 wage if he continues to play at a excessive degree.
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Picture by: USA At this time
Or The Bucs May Do … Nothing
We’ve seen Tampa Bay play this tune earlier than. Mike Evans tried to get an extension in 2023. The Bucs didn’t blink and made him play out the ultimate 12 months of his deal earlier than they negotiated a brand new contract with him the next 12 months. Antoine Winfield Jr. was additionally compelled to play out his contract 12 months in 2023 and he turned an All-Professional season right into a profitable, four-year extension that made him the league’s highest paid defensive again for a second.
Baker Mayfield not too long ago stated his camp and the staff have been “nowhere close” to a deal that he’s looking for so he doesn’t should play in a contract 12 months. The Bucs are comfy letting gamers get to the brink of free company. And likelihood is they don’t break that sample with the 31-year previous Vita Vea.
