“Again, it’s still early,” the manager said in a press conference. “We’ve only been in pads for two days. We’re not concerned at this point and I think those things take care of themselves. Once you get past two or three preseason games, you start to worry a little bit.”

The defensive tackle is looking for a new contract, a situation that has led him to remain away from the 2026 training camp for the time being. Despite that, Bowles acknowledged that Vea has been “very engaged” from the sideline.

What is Vita Vea’s current situation?

Vita Vea is entering the final year of the four-year, $71 million extension he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022, set to make $18 million in 2026 with a scheduled cap hit of $22.19 million. Following stalled negotiations over a new contract extension, the 31-year-old two-time Pro Bowler requested a trade in late July 2026.

With Tampa Bay weighing their options, several teams across the league have inquired about potential trade deals for the veteran defensive tackle, with the New York Giants reportedly passing on him.

Vea’s numbers from last season

In his 2025 campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Vita Vea remained a durable anchor in the interior defensive line, starting all 17 regular-season games. The veteran nose tackle recorded 34 total tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, two passes defensed, and one fumble recovery.

Names Bowles is considering as potential replacements for Vea

If Vita Vea is traded or unavailable for Week 1, Todd Bowles and his staff would likely turn to free-agent addition A’Shawn Robinson or DeMonte Capehart to anchor the interior of the defensive line at nose tackle. Tampa Bay could also lean on rotational depth options like Rakeem Nunez-Roches or rookie Elijah Simmons to swallow up blocks in odd-front packages, while shifting Calijah Kancey and Elijah Roberts into heavier interior alignments.

Speaking to NFL Network, Emeka Egbuka spoke on Mike Evans, saying he was a great mentor, but also stated that the offense “won’t miss any beats” now that he’s gone. Egbuka had a brilliant rookie season, especially in the first half of the year, so there is plenty of hope that he delivers as the WR1 now.

Egbuka might play with a quarterback who holds a grudge. Baker Mayfield warned the Buccaneers and told them they’ll regret the decision to not give him a contract. However, he also needs a contract, so he must play at a top level, which favors Egbuka.

Bucs’ WR depth chart

Mike Evans was the absolute face of this franchise. However, Egbuka was right when he said the Bucs offense shouldn’t miss a beat. Their WR room is still stacked with talent.

• Emeka Egbuka
• Chris Godwin
• Jalen McMillan
• Tez Johnson
• Ted Hurst III
• Kameron Johnson

The Bucs need to make an impression

Todd Bowles can see his job go if things don’t go his way. It also seems like the Bucs will have to shop for a quarterback. Hence, it’s a do-or-die season for them. Otherwise, an imminent rebuild will come.

The Bucs lost the NFC South title for the first time since 2019, and missed the playoffs altogether. The fact is that this is a division that they should have confidence in winning, but locker room messes must be controlled first.

Mayfield recently admitted he felt “disrespected” by Tampa Bay’s contract offer and warned that passing on the opportunity to lock up their franchise quarterback would only make things more expensive in the future. He also confirmed he has ended negotiations and intends to play out the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

Those comments generated widespread debate across the NFL, and now it appears they may not have been well received inside the Buccaneers’ organization.

Buccaneers reportedly unhappy with Mayfield’s comments

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the relationship between the two sides has become increasingly strained following Baker Mayfield’s public remarks about his situation in Tampa.

“It almost feels like it’s Baker versus the team. Baker is not happy with them and they’re not happy with the way he spoke about the organization. That’s not great.”

The report suggests that while both sides remain focused on the upcoming season, the public nature of Mayfield’s criticism has created additional friction during an already complicated contract situation.

What happened between Baker Mayfield and Bucs?

Adam Schefter also revealed an important detail regarding the negotiations. Tampa Bay did offer Mayfield a contract worth approximately $50 million per season, but the disagreement centered on the length of the deal rather than the annual salary. The Buccaneers reportedly wanted a two-year extension, while Mayfield was seeking a much longer commitment.

For now, neither side appears willing to revisit negotiations during the season. That means Mayfield is expected to play out the final year of his contract before testing free agency in 2027, where another strong campaign could make him one of the most sought-after quarterbacks on the market.

Baker Mayfield’s had enough of the contract talks with the Buccaneers as he feels disrespected. However, it can all be traced back to what the QB feels is a two-year deal offered, and the team is actually offering a two-year extension.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Buccaneers offered Baker Mayfield a two-year extension worth slightly over $100 million. This structure results in a $72.5 million “new-money” annual average when accounting for the previous $27.5 million in “old-money.”

The contract dispute likely comes down to a difference in perspectives. Baker Mayfield focuses on the total average from signing and the Buccaneers evaluating the new-money average. In this scenario, a two-year extension worth over $100 million brings a new-money annual average value exceeding $50 million. Conversely, looking at the entire three-year commitment lowers the real average from the date of signing to $42.5 million.

There is no sign that any part will budge

The difference comes down to a few million, but also it relies on principle right now. Mayfield is emotionally hurt now. In fact, Mayfield warned the Buccaneers that they’ll regret this decision.

If money talks are already difficult, money talks with feelings involved are even worse. Hence, it seems like this has turned into bad-blood negotiations. Hence, why they stalled.

The Bucs should consider paying Mayfield what he wants

The QB market isn’t hot right now. Good QBs are sealed by their franchises, not big names appear to be moving, and the prospects for next year still seem to raw to be trusted to be NFL QB1s.

Hence, Mayfield still has the leverage here. While the Bucs feel their offer was fair, if the QB doesn’t sign it, and there is no better alternative on the horizon, then the team should somewhat compromise.

After failing to reach an agreement on a long-term extension, the veteran quarterback will now play out the final year of his contract before becoming one of the biggest names in the 2027 free-agent class.

Rather than continuing discussions during the season, Mayfield has decided to focus exclusively on football. The quarterback believes his performance on the field will ultimately determine his market value, whether that leads to a new deal with Tampa Bay or a lucrative opportunity elsewhere.

Baker Mayfield issues warning to Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield delivered what many interpreted as a direct warning to the Buccaneers’ front office. “If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad because it’s only going to get worse from here. I’m going to have a really good year. I’m not negotiating anymore.”

The message leaves little room for interpretation. Mayfield is confident in his ability and believes another strong campaign will only increase his value when free agency arrives.

Why this could become expensive for Tampa Bay

By refusing to negotiate any further during the season, Mayfield has effectively taken control of his future. If he delivers another outstanding year, the Buccaneers could find themselves facing a much steeper price in 2027.

At the same time, other quarterback-needy teams would have the opportunity to compete for his services on the open market, potentially driving his value even higher.

For now, Mayfield’s priority is helping Tampa Bay compete in 2026. But his latest comments make one thing clear: if the Buccaneers wanted certainty at quarterback beyond this season, they may have already missed their chance.

As a result, Mayfield is set to play the 2026 season under the final year of his current contract, earning $33 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027. While both sides remain committed to the upcoming season, the lack of a new deal has become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Buccaneers.

After helping stabilize Tampa Bay following Tom Brady’s retirement and turning the Buccaneers into the NFC South’s most consistent team over the past several seasons, Mayfield admitted he expected negotiations to produce a very different outcome.

Baker Mayfield explains why negotiations with Bucs ended

Speaking publicly for the first time since contract talks ended, Baker Mayfield reiterated that he wanted to remain in Tampa Bay but felt the organization failed to meet the deadline he established.

“I’ve been pretty upfront and honest about my feelings about Tampa. I wanted the deal done, set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that. I did mean that. I really know what I’ve brought to this franchise. It’s been some of the best years of my career and I think it’s only going to trend upwards. It’s disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit.”

The quarterback emphasized that his focus has now shifted entirely to football, but he made it clear he was disappointed that negotiations never reached an agreement.

How much money does Baker Mayfield want from Buccaneers?

Baker Mayfield was seeking two key elements in a new contract. The first was a salary of at least $50 million per season, placing him alongside the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks. The second was a long-term commitment of at least four years, while Tampa Bay’s reported offer fell short in both total value and contract length.

“That’s really the disappointing part. To feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it. This is not a poor me thing. I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories. And I deserve to be compensated for that. I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here. So, to not have a deal done is very disappointing.”

Unless negotiations unexpectedly resume after the season, Mayfield is now on track to enter free agency in 2027, where another strong campaign could earn him one of the largest quarterback contracts on the market.

According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the Giants won’t show interest in a trade for Vita Vea. As appealing as the star defensive tackle would be, New York appears confident it has solved its dilemma along the interior of the defensive line.

The G-Men were busy throughout the NFL offseason, mostly filling the void left by Dexter Lawrence’s trade. Based on Duggan’s report, the Giants won’t be making any more moves at that position, barring an unexpected setback.

Vita Vea would put Giants in complex situation

Although the pros of having Vea in East Rutherford may far outweigh the cons—one of which is having to type Vita Vea’s full legal name into a contract—the Giants would still have to make ends meet in order to trade for the disgruntled nose tackle in Central Florida.

Vea’s salary for the 2026 NFL season isn’t the only issue to bear in mind. The nose tackle is also set to carry a $22.2 million cap hit next season, according to Spotrac. If he were to join the Giants, Vea would carry the second-largest cap hit on the team. And as things stand, the G-Men have roughly $10 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap.

Vea to New York: very unlikely

Truth be told, adding Vea appears likely to create more headaches than solutions for the Giants, especially if New York is confident in how its revamped defensive line looks with the additions of D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, and others.

Perhaps they will come to regret it later in the year, but for now that’s only speculation. For the time being, the Giants are cool, calm, and collected. There will be plenty of time to stress and panic once the season begins.

When Tom Brady retired, the Buccaneers faced enormous uncertainty at quarterback. Mayfield changed that narrative almost immediately, helping stabilize the offense and leading Tampa Bay to become the top team in the NFC South, despite the division’s overall inconsistency. His performances over the past several seasons have reestablished him as one of the league’s most reliable veteran quarterbacks.

Even so, Mayfield has not received the type of extension he believes reflects his value. With quarterback salaries continuing to skyrocket across the NFL, the veteran is now willing to risk reaching the open market rather than accepting a deal below his expectations.

Will Baker Mayfield sign a contract extension with the Buccaneers?

No. Baker Mayfield had previously made it clear that if the contract he wanted was not offered before training camp, he would stop negotiating until after the season. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Jenna Laine, that is exactly what has happened.

“Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is reporting to training camp without a new deal and will play out the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.”

The report confirms that Mayfield will focus entirely on football this season, postponing all contract discussions until free agency. As a consequence, the Bucs are taking a major risk.

How much will Baker Mayfield earn in 2026 with Bucs?

Baker Mayfield is scheduled to earn $33 million during the final season of his contract with Tampa Bay. Considering how the quarterback market has evolved, that figure sits well below the NFL’s highest-paid passers.

Quarterbacks such as Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, and Justin Herbert are all earning more than $50 million per season, a financial tier Mayfield reportedly believes he belongs in after helping transform the Buccaneers following Brady’s retirement.

Because the Bucs have not been willing to meet those demands, Mayfield is expected to complete the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027. If he delivers another outstanding season, he could command a massive payday, whether from the Buccaneers or another quarterback-needy franchise.

Therefore, the fit simply makes perfect sense. Obviously, the Giants would have to part with significant assets to strike a deal with the Buccaneers, but the door is open.

Moreover, New York would have to foot the bill for at least a large portion of Vea’s salary in the 2026 NFL season, while also absorbing his cap hit. There are certainly hurdles standing in the way, but when the reward is arguably the best possible replacement for Lawrence, it could all be worth it.

“You have a quarterback on a rookie contract. This is the period of time you’re supposed to swing trades for 31 year old Pro Bowl defensive tackles looking for one last pay day. Vita Vea to the Giants makes too much sense,” Shaun Morash of Talkin’ Giants posted on his X account.

Why Vea could be perfect addition

Speaking of the best nose tackles in the NFL, it’s impossible not to mention Vea and Lawrence. So, after the latter asked out of New York and joined the Cincinnati Bengals, what better way to fill that void than by bringing in the player he has so often been compared to?

Indeed, the G-Men have been busy this offseason. They added several pieces to the interior of the defensive line in an attempt to make up for Lawrence’s glaring absence, but they could still find room for Vea alongside newly arrived D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris.

Moreover, as Morash pointed out, the Giants have Dart under a rookie contract through the 2028 NFL season and can exercise his fifth-year option for 2029. If there has ever been a time for Big Blue to go all in on a move for a veteran Pro Bowler, it’s now.

NY Giants can make it happen

Vea wants to get paid, and New York can foot the bill. Whether Vea wants to join the Giants, though, is a different question. Some reports indicate that he would like to return to his home state of California—or at least be closer to his roots on the West Coast.

Still, if there’s one place in the world that can make players overlook homesickness, it’s New York City. Plus, Vea’s contract has no trade clauses working in his favor to steer his way to his preferred destination.

At the end of the day, if Tampa Bay trades him, it will likely be to the highest bidder, and that could very well be New York if the Giants are truly interested in adding a 6-foot-4, 347-pound force to the interior of their defensive line.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Vea’s decision. Because no official trade has materialized with the Buccaneers yet, specific destination teams are very speculative. However, a dominant run-stopping and pass-rushing defensive tackle of Vea’s caliber naturally draws interest from top-tier teams.

Super Bowl contenders who lack defensive line prowess should watch Vea with shining eyes. Teams that feel like they’re a defensive tackle away from contending could also take a leap of faith on Vea.

Super Bowl contenders that could look Vea as an assett

A team like the San Francisco 49ers that won 12 games last year could see Vea as a huge upgrade over Alfred Collins or Osa Odighizuwa. Also, Vea is a California native that could be tempted to come back home.

Jim Harbaugh prioritizes physical, dominant line play. Vea fits the exact mold of a trench-controlling defensive tackle required to anchor the defensive scheme on the Los Angeles Chargers.

Teams that could build around Vea

A team like the Las Vegas Raiders could see a great option in pairing Vea’s elite run-stuffing ability next to Maxx Crosby, who would give the Raiders one of the most physically imposing defensive lines in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears could also look into Vea’s situation and put some offers on the table. Both teams have high expectations and could use Vea to boost their seasons.

“Vea is scheduled to earn $18 million this season on his current deal. He did not participate in the spring program with the #Buccaneers. He’s expected to be with the team for training camp, though his participation is TBD,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on X.

Vea remains an appealing target for any defense, but that hefty price tag will make trade negotiations tricky. Still, as a proven veteran who’s spent his entire career in Tampa Bay since entering the league in 2018, he’s bound to draw serious interest around the NFL.

If Vea is traded, who pays the $18 million?

The new team pays it. The $18 million represents his remaining base salary and active bonuses for the upcoming season. Once a player is traded, the new team inherits his contract and becomes responsible for paying his weekly game checks and future salary.

The Buccaneers are off the hook for the $18 million, but they still take a financial hit called “Dead Money.” When teams give out signing bonuses, they pay the cash upfront but spread the salary cap hit over several years. If Tampa Bay trades Vea, all remaining bonus money they already paid him in past years immediately accelerates onto their salary cap.

What can a veteran player like Vea bring to a franchise?

At 6’4″ and nearly 350 pounds, Vea is a dominant interior force. When healthy, he brings traits that completely transform a defense. Vea routinely eats up double teams in the middle of the field. Because opponents usually have to commit two offensive linemen just to block him, it frees up linebackers behind him to run clean and make easy tackles on ball-carriers.