Vita Vea Requests Trade from Tampa Bay Buccaneers Amid Contract Dispute

Vita Vea trade request Buccaneers contract dispute West Coast suitors

Defensive tackle Vita Vea, 31, has formally requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after contract extension talks broke down. He is entering the final year of the four‑year, $71 million extension he signed in 2022, which carries a $17 million base salary for the 2026 season but no guaranteed money. Vea has missed mandatory minicamp practices to avoid fines while continuing to push for a new deal.

Vea indicated a preference for a West Coast destination, naming California teams or the Las Vegas Raiders as his top choices. Media reports list the Los Angeles Rams, Raiders, Chargers and San Francisco 49ers as potential suitors, with market odds showing the Raiders leading the odds at roughly 45 % and the Rams near 25 %.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said no trade talks are underway, and general‑manager Jason Licht is viewed as unlikely to accommodate the request. Vea remains a key defensive piece, having logged 256 tackles, 35 sacks and 48 tackles for loss over 112 games, contributed to the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV win, and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and 2024. The trade request adds another contract issue for Tampa Bay as training camp opens.

Entities: Baker Mayfield · Collin Roberts · Jason Licht · Los Angeles Rams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Todd Bowles · Vita Vea

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] Buccaneers GM Jason Licht is considered unlikely to trade Vea, and no trade talks have been confirmed by coach Todd Bowles. (multiple reports)
[● 4 SOURCES] Vita Vea has formally requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (multiple reports)
[● 3 SOURCES] Vea has career totals of 256 tackles, 35 sacks and 48 tackles for loss in 112 games (107 starts). (multiple reports)
[● 5 SOURCES] Vea indicated a preference for a West Coast destination, specifically California teams or the Las Vegas Raiders. (multiple reports)
[● 3 SOURCES] Vea missed mandatory minicamp practices to avoid fines while continuing to push for a new contract. (multiple reports)
[● 3 SOURCES] Potential suitors for Vea include the Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. (multiple reports)
[● 3 SOURCES] Vea helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV and earned Pro Bowl selections after the 2021 and 2024 seasons. (multiple reports)
[● 5 SOURCES] Vea is entering the final season of a four‑year, $71 million extension signed in 2022, with a $17 million base salary in 2026 and no guaranteed money. (multiple reports)