Giants emerge as possible destination for Buccaneers star who wants out

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — As the Giants get ready for their first training camp practice Wednesday, new coach John Harbaugh knows they must do a better job of stopping the run in 2026.


And Harbaugh is undertaking that mission right after trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals in a blockbuster deal.


Harbaugh signed veterans Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader to help replace Lawrence. But could a bigger move now materialize?


Vita Vea — the Buccaneers’ 31-year-old standout nose tackle — has requested a trade amid a contract dispute. He is entering the final year of his deal. So should the Giants trade for him?


Well, he wouldn’t come cheap, in terms of what Tampa Bay would want — and also in terms of Vea’s next contract.


Still, Vea would make for a fascinating addition to Harbaugh’s first defensive front.


Vea has reported to Bucs training camp, but he isn’t practicing — a so-called hold in.


Bottom line: It’s entirely possible he will be traded.


As for the Giants being a potential landing spot, NFL.com did indeed list them as one of the seven teams that could trade for Vea.


The others — Bills, Bears, Packers, Raiders, Chargers and 49ers.


Here’s the rationale for a possible Vea-to-Giants deal:


The need is clear after Big Blue traded Dexter Lawrence — perhaps the only current nose tackle better than Vea — this offseason. D.J. Reader is a solid veteran who can plug a hole, but he’s no Vea. It would take some work to fit Vea under the cap, but that shouldn’t be a prohibitor in the year of our Lord 2026 — of course, if the Giants didn’t want to pay Lawrence, they might balk at this scenario as well.


Perhaps the Bucs would be interested in a Kayvon Thibodeaux swap? Vea playing alongside the likes of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter would provide a lethal front. Vea’s presence would also help clog the lanes for rookie Arvell Reese to torpedo in from the second level.


Harbaugh has held off on trading Thibodeaux if only because he hasn’t gotten an enticing enough offer. Vea certainly would qualify as one.


But is Harbaugh willing to invest big-time money in Vea after declining to do so with Lawrence?

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