- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,206,033
- Reaction score
- 59
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to resolve the Vita Vea contract situation.
Vea, Tampa's star defensive tackle, staged a "hold-in" during mandatory minicamp in the hopes of securing a lucrative long-term contract extension. Entering the last year of his four-year deal signed in 2022, the 31-year-old might view this as his last opportunity to receive a contract that pays him in line with the best DTs in the league.
After the Tennessee Titanssigned their own star DT, Jeffery Simmons, to a three-year extension worth $105.8 million, including $100 million guaranteed, Vea's $17 million salary for 2026 became less than half of the NFL's top-paid DT.
In fact, Vea's average annual value of $17.75 million ranks 19th among defensive tackles. Vea believes he is still a top-10 DT in the NFL and wants a new contract that reflects it.
Even though he is 31, and about to begin his ninth season in Tampa, Vea is still playing at an extremely high level, and remains the heart and soul of the Bucs' defense. His current salary is definitely a bargain compared to other DTs around the league.
So, what would an extension for Vea look like that would satisfy both the player and the team?
Ashlie Abrahams of Buccaneers Wire predicted what Vea's next contract with the Bucs may look like, and it's a lot of money for a player on the wrong side of 30.
Abrahams believes a new deal for Vea will reach $24-28 million per year over three years. That figure would put Vea well below the money of the top 2 DTs, Simmons and Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, but would place him in the next tier of interior defensive linemen.
That would be a nice pay bump for Vea, and certainly more reflective of his standing in the DT pecking order. Abrahams thinks both sides would be comfortable with these numbers.
"A realistic structure could be a three-year extension worth between $75 million and $84 million, averaging roughly $25 million to $28 million per season. That type of deal would allow Vea to remain among the league's highest-paid defensive tackles without requiring Tampa Bay to commit to a lengthy contract that carries significant risk into his mid-30s. The guaranteed money will likely be the most important piece. Given Vea's age, his camp may prioritize guarantees over total contract length."
She makes a great point, suggesting that Vea's camp may prioritize guaranteed money over contract length or even the average annual value. But is she right about a three-year contract not carrying significant risk for the Bucs?
Vita has a lot of wear and tear on his body from his eight seasons in Tampa. He is a monster in the middle of the Bucs' defensive line and has constantly had to absorb double teams throughout his career.
Even as he remains a top player, his decline may begin quickly and sharply. If that were to happen this season, Tampa would be on the hook for a lot of money over the next three years for a player whose effectiveness may not last that long.
The $25 million yearly salary sounds about right for a player of Vea's stature. The length of the deal is what should cause concern for general manager Jason Licht.
The Bucs are in an unenviable position when it comes to Vea.
He is clearly underpaid for the 2026 season and is right to ask for more money. However, given Vea's age, Tampa must worry about a steep drop-off in the next year or two. Paying Vea $25 million/year into his mid-30s is incredibly risky and may cost the Bucs another good player or two that it wants to either keep or add in the future.
The Bucs are still dealing with Baker Mayfield's contract impasse, and the quarterback is expected to earn at least $50 million/year on his next contract.
Furthermore, linebacker YaYa Diaby and guard Cody Mauch, key players from the 2023 draft class, are entering the last season of their rookie deals and are set to earn big paydays after this season. Another member of the 2023 class, Vea's DT partner Calijah Kancey, is only signed through next season after having the fifth-year option of his rookie deal exercised. A solid, healthy season from Kancey ups his asking price for his next contract.
Can Tampa really commit that kind of money to Vea when so many younger, ascending players are due for new contracts over the next year?
I believe Tampa's best course of action would be to add a few million to Vea's 2026 money and possibly add another year (maybe two) to his current deal. Anything more than that is just too risky to the Bucs' future.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
Vea, Tampa's star defensive tackle, staged a "hold-in" during mandatory minicamp in the hopes of securing a lucrative long-term contract extension. Entering the last year of his four-year deal signed in 2022, the 31-year-old might view this as his last opportunity to receive a contract that pays him in line with the best DTs in the league.
After the Tennessee Titanssigned their own star DT, Jeffery Simmons, to a three-year extension worth $105.8 million, including $100 million guaranteed, Vea's $17 million salary for 2026 became less than half of the NFL's top-paid DT.
In fact, Vea's average annual value of $17.75 million ranks 19th among defensive tackles. Vea believes he is still a top-10 DT in the NFL and wants a new contract that reflects it.
Even though he is 31, and about to begin his ninth season in Tampa, Vea is still playing at an extremely high level, and remains the heart and soul of the Bucs' defense. His current salary is definitely a bargain compared to other DTs around the league.
So, what would an extension for Vea look like that would satisfy both the player and the team?
Ashlie Abrahams of Buccaneers Wire predicted what Vea's next contract with the Bucs may look like, and it's a lot of money for a player on the wrong side of 30.
Is Vea Worth $25 Million/Year or More?
Abrahams believes a new deal for Vea will reach $24-28 million per year over three years. That figure would put Vea well below the money of the top 2 DTs, Simmons and Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, but would place him in the next tier of interior defensive linemen.
That would be a nice pay bump for Vea, and certainly more reflective of his standing in the DT pecking order. Abrahams thinks both sides would be comfortable with these numbers.
"A realistic structure could be a three-year extension worth between $75 million and $84 million, averaging roughly $25 million to $28 million per season. That type of deal would allow Vea to remain among the league's highest-paid defensive tackles without requiring Tampa Bay to commit to a lengthy contract that carries significant risk into his mid-30s. The guaranteed money will likely be the most important piece. Given Vea's age, his camp may prioritize guarantees over total contract length."
She makes a great point, suggesting that Vea's camp may prioritize guaranteed money over contract length or even the average annual value. But is she right about a three-year contract not carrying significant risk for the Bucs?
Plenty Of Wear And Tear
Vita has a lot of wear and tear on his body from his eight seasons in Tampa. He is a monster in the middle of the Bucs' defensive line and has constantly had to absorb double teams throughout his career.
Even as he remains a top player, his decline may begin quickly and sharply. If that were to happen this season, Tampa would be on the hook for a lot of money over the next three years for a player whose effectiveness may not last that long.
The $25 million yearly salary sounds about right for a player of Vea's stature. The length of the deal is what should cause concern for general manager Jason Licht.
Final Thoughts
The Bucs are in an unenviable position when it comes to Vea.
He is clearly underpaid for the 2026 season and is right to ask for more money. However, given Vea's age, Tampa must worry about a steep drop-off in the next year or two. Paying Vea $25 million/year into his mid-30s is incredibly risky and may cost the Bucs another good player or two that it wants to either keep or add in the future.
The Bucs are still dealing with Baker Mayfield's contract impasse, and the quarterback is expected to earn at least $50 million/year on his next contract.
Furthermore, linebacker YaYa Diaby and guard Cody Mauch, key players from the 2023 draft class, are entering the last season of their rookie deals and are set to earn big paydays after this season. Another member of the 2023 class, Vea's DT partner Calijah Kancey, is only signed through next season after having the fifth-year option of his rookie deal exercised. A solid, healthy season from Kancey ups his asking price for his next contract.
Can Tampa really commit that kind of money to Vea when so many younger, ascending players are due for new contracts over the next year?
I believe Tampa's best course of action would be to add a few million to Vea's 2026 money and possibly add another year (maybe two) to his current deal. Anything more than that is just too risky to the Bucs' future.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
