NFL training camps are finally getting underway, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at the center of attention. Baker Mayfield had been very vocal about wanting to get a contract extension done before camp opened, but that deadline has passed, and the two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his deal. While the former No. 1 overall pick is coming to Bucs camp as an extremely motivated man, he also admitted to being “disappointed.”
While Mayfield won’t be going anywhere this year, another Buccaneers Pro Bowler is angling to get out of town, and there’s reportedly a lot of trade interest in him.
Related: 6 Alternative NFL Fits for Baker Mayfield in 2027
NFL Teams Showing Great Interest in Trading for Vita Vea
Dec 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt (76) blocks Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesCredit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
After contract extension negotiations broke down with the front office, Vita Vea requested a trade from the Buccaneers before training camp kicked off. Like Mayfield, Vea is also entering the final year of his deal.
While the Buccaneers have shown no inclination to trade their two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, other teams would really like them to listen to their trade offers.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, there’s been “pretty heavy” trade interest in Vea so far.
“As for Vea, his trade interest is pretty heavy. He’s got several calls in, to the Bucs. I’m told the Bucs do not plan to trade Vita Vea. He’s a big part of what they do still. Problem is, the Bucs have a penchant for not paying some of their stars until they get to the final year of their deal, Vea feels like his contract’s been outdated for a long time, he’s let them know. Whereas the Bucs at least tried with Mayfield, it seems like they really didn’t try to re-sign their star defensive tackle.”
Jeremy Fowler on Vita Vea
Crossover action on @gmfb, live from Tampa
-Mayfield tells team he’s all in, contract not a distraction
-Vea has trade interest, Bucs don’t plan to trade him. But he’s highly upset pic.twitter.com/RGREJjz6Va
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2026
Not trying to re-sign Vea? While Mayfield’s contract is the one generating all the attention, Vea may have a bigger beef here. As Fowler noted, at least they tried to work something out with the franchise QB, but that wasn’t the case with Vea.
Of course, quarterbacks are more valuable than defensive tackles, but it’s not hard to see why Vea reacted by requesting a trade rather than stick around and play for a franchise that doesn’t seem to want him around past this season. Plus, the Bucs only have one franchise tag, and that one may be earmarked for Mayfield next offseason. So where would that leave a then-32-year-old Vea?
Related: 6 Ideal Vita Vea Trade Destinations for 2x Pro Bowl DT
Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on Sportsnaut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports … More about Andrew Buller-Russ