Buccaneers GM promises ‘progress’ in Vita Vea standoff

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Vita Vea are not on the same page, as the superstar defensive lineman wants a new contract and the front office hasn’t budged on giving him a new deal. While Vea demanded a trade nearly as soon as training camp started, it sounds like general manager Jason Licht is at least attempting to work something out with the disgruntled defensive tackle.

While talking with media members on Thursday, Licht responded to Vea’s agent saying a trade is the only way the conflict will be resolved. Licht admitted he isn’t sure how this saga will turn out, but did claim that the front office and Vea have made some progress by at least remaining in discussions with Vea’s agent, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.

“We love Vita,” Licht said. “We’ve been engaged with his agent recently. I don’t know how it’s going to end. But we’ve been engaged, and that’s at least some progress.”

I asked Bucs GM Jason Licht specifically about Vita Vea’s agent’s comments saying he doesn’t see this ending any other way but a trade. Licht said, “I don’t know how it’s gonna end” but that they’re actively communicating. “That’s at least some progress,” he said. pic.twitter.com/q02WX6y7GJ

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 6, 2026

Between the trade request from the 31-year-old defender and the failed contract talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers are dealing with plenty of distractions early on in training camp. While Licht’s comments about Vita Vea don’t generate much hope, the Buccaneers’ general manager did admit earlier on Thursday he has no plans on trading Vea anytime soon.

Vea, who is set to begin his ninth season in the NFL, is deemed one of the league’s most consistent nose tackles. Last season, he played all 17 games for the Buccaneers, finishing with 34 combined tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.

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