New NFL Rumors on Vita Vea Drawing 'Heavy' Interest Amid Bucs Trade Request After Contract Talks

Following his trade request this week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea has reportedly already been the subject of multiple trade inquiries from opposing teams.

During an appearance Thursday on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said there has been "pretty heavy" trade interest in Vea thus far:

The possibility of a Vea trade came into focus on Monday when his agent, Collin Roberts, informed ESPN that Vea had requested a trade following the breakdown of contract extension talks.

Despite Vea's public request and interest from several teams, Fowler noted that the Bucs have no plans to move on from him.

Vea signed a four-year, $71 million contract with the Buccaneers in 2022, and he is set to enter the final year of his deal this coming season. Vea has a base salary of $17 million and is counting nearly $22.2 million against the salary cap, per Spotrac.

According to Fowler, Vea and his representation have let the Bucs know that they believe his contract has been "outdated for a long time."

Listed at 6'4" and 347 pounds, the 31-year-old Vea has been among the dominant nose tackles in the league since Tampa made him the No. 12 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

Over the course of his eight-year career, Vea is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion who has recorded 256 tackles, 48 tackles for loss and 35 sacks.

Last season, he made 17 starts for the first time in his career and finished with 34 tackles, seven TFLs and 4.5 sacks. That came on the heels of Vea setting career highs with 10 TFLs and seven sacks in 2024.

Following four consecutive NFC South titles and five straight playoff appearances, the Bucs fell short of the postseason in 2025 with an 8-9 record.

There is hope for a bounce back in 2026 with better luck in terms of health than they had in 2025, but doing so without Vea's presence in the middle of the defensive line would be a massive challenge.