New Vita Vea Rumors on Potential 'Middle Ground' Amid Trade Request, Bucs Contract Talks

Despite defensive tackle Vita Vea requesting a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes it is possible the two sides could work out an agreement that keeps Vea in Tampa this season.

During an appearance Saturday on Inside Training Camp Live, Rapoport discussed a potential "middle ground" between Vea and the Bucs that would see the organization "sweeten the pot" by guaranteeing or adding money to his contract for 2026:

This is despite the fact that Vea's agent, Collin Roberts, told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday that, "I just don't see it ending in anything but a trade at this point."

Roberts first informed ESPN on July 27 that Vea had requested a trade after contract talks between Vea and the Buccaneers broke down.

Despite the request, Bucs general manager Jason Licht told reporters this week that he has "no plans" to trade the two-time Pro Bowler, adding, "We love Vita. We've been engaged with his agent recently. I don't know how it's gonna end, but we've been engaged and that's at least some progress."

The 31-year-old veteran went 12th overall to the Bucs in the 2018 NFL draft, and he has spent the entirety of his career in Tampa.

Over his eight NFL seasons, Vea has recorded 256 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 35 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 112 regular-season games.

The 347-pounder also has 2.5 sacks in eight career playoff games, and he helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2020.

Per Spotrac, Vea is currently set to earn a base salary of $17 million this season before becoming a free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.

Multiple teams would undoubtedly love to swing a trade for Vea since he is among the top run stuffers in the NFL, but with the Bucs refusing to budge on that front thus far, perhaps Rapoport's proposed scenario of a compromise is the most likely result.