How Much Is Vita Vea Worth to the Bucs?

Everyone is talking about when Baker Mayfield will sign his next deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—but he’s not the only Buccaneer seeking more money before the 2026 season begins. The contract situation surrounding Vita Vea just became one of the biggest storylines in Tampa Bay. The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his current deal and is reportedly holding in as he pushes for a new contract. And after recent deals around the NFL, the defensive tackle market has shifted dramatically. Jordan Davis is now making $26 million annually. Then Jeffery Simmons completely reset the market with a massive extension from the Tennessee Titans worth roughly $33 million per year. So where does Vita Vea fit? Chris Mathis breaks down why Vea absolutely deserves a raise, why he’s still one of the most important players in Todd Bowles’ defense, and why trading him makes little sense for Tampa Bay. At the same time, Chris explains why Vea isn’t in the same tier as Simmons—and why the Buccaneers must carefully balance rewarding a cornerstone player without overcommitting long-term. What is Vita Vea really worth? $22 million per year? $24 million? $25 million? That’s the question facing Tampa Bay. And with training camp approaching, the pressure to find an answer is only growing.