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Bucs sign DT Vita Vea to $30 million contract extension despite trade request

Vita Vea signs contract extension
Vita Vea signs contract extension Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed star defensive tackle Vita Vea to a one-year, $30 million contract extension on Wednesday with $6 million in new money for this season.

Vea, 31, originally requested a trade from the team, as both were at opposite ends of the negotiation process. According to The Athletic's Senior Writer Ted Nguyen, Vea wanted "to go to a California team or the Raiders" after requesting a trade late last month.

His new extension with the Bucs is also fully guaranteed, meaning Vea will make $48 million guaranteed over the next two seasons.

The veteran has spent all eight years of his career with the Bucs after the team selected him 12th overall in the 2018 Draft. 

Vea's 51 pressures ranked seventh among all qualified defensive tackles last season, finishing with 34 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. 

The two-time Pro Bowler hasn't missed more than three regular season games in each of the past five seasons, making him one of the most durable and dangerous nose tackles in the NFL. 

Vea has 256 tackles and 35 sacks in 112 games through his eight seasons. 

The Buccaneers kick off their 2026 regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13th.

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