Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers have all inquired about Vea's availability, with a few other teams checking in as well.
"Teams have called the Buccaneers to see if they're interested in trading him," Garafolo said. "But the Buccaneers continue to say internally, they are not trading Vita Vea."
The Scene
Following Tampa Bay's 24-16 preseason win over the New York Jets, Vea was seen autographing fan signs that read "Vita must $$$tay in Tampa" and "$ Pay $ Baker & Vita," a nod to the team's parallel contract dispute with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
DEVELOPING: The 49ers are among the teams that have made a trade inquiry for Buccaneers star DT Vita Vea, per Mike Garafolo.
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) August 14, 2026
The Bears and Bills have also checked in on Vea, but the Buccaneers maintain their stance about not trading him amid a contract dispute. pic.twitter.com/olpfx2hF03
Vea requested a trade in July after extension talks stalled, and he's been attending training camp without practicing since. He sat out Friday's game entirely. Garafolo noted communication between the two sides continues, but stressed "a deal is not imminent."
Interest Is Large
The Bills could use immediate defensive tackle help after Phidarian Mathis was hit with a three-game suspension that keeps him out until September 28.
The Bears may want proven support as rookie Jordan van den Berg is ticketed for a significant role in Chicago's interior line.
San Francisco's projected starters, Osa Odighizuwa and Alfred Collins, would get a real boost from a player of Vea's caliber as the 49ers look to keep pace with the defending champion Seahawks and a Rams team many view as the NFC West favorite in 2026.
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: The Bills have checked on the price of Bucs star DT Vita Vea, according to Mike Garafolo 👀
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) August 14, 2026
What would you give up for the 2x Pro Bowler?#Bills | #GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/gN8FsF2aFh
Vea has been remarkably durable for a defensive tackle, starting 107 of a possible 112 games over eight seasons, appearing in all 17 games last year with 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hits.
Money Gap Is Wide
The dispute traces back to where Vea sits in the market. He's playing out the final year of his contract at roughly $18 million, none of it guaranteed, which now ranks 16th among defensive tackles.
The top of the position has exploded this offseason, with Philadelphia's Jalen Carter ($38 million annually), Dallas' Quinnen Williams ($35.3 million), and Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons ($35.28 million) all signing extensions that reset the market Vea believes he should be paid in.
His agent, Collin Roberts, told the Tampa Bay Times earlier this month that he doesn't see the situation "ending in anything but a trade at this point," a directly opposing view to GM Jason Licht's continued public stance that Vea stays put.
