Vita Vea Skips Buccaneers Minicamp Drills Amid Contract Talks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea attended the club’s mandatory minicamp this week but did not take part in on-field drills, with the decision described as contract-related. By reporting to the facility, Vea avoided the $107,911 fine that applies if a player misses the full three-day session. Head coach Todd Bowles said the veteran is healthy and that the team did not need to see him practice at this stage.

Vea, 31, is entering the final year of the $71 million contract extension he signed in January 2022. The report said he is scheduled to earn a $17 million base salary in 2026, and his $17.75 million average annual value ranks 19th among NFL defensive tackles.

Veteran players sometimes handle mandatory work this way, attending meetings and walkthroughs while limiting live practice reps as discussions progress. Teams can still use minicamp to install scheme details and evaluate depth without pushing a cornerstone starter through every drill.

Bowles addressed Vea’s absence from drills by emphasizing it was not health-related. “We don’t need to see him right now,” Bowles said.

What it means for Tampa Bay’s defensive line

With Vea not taking live reps, the Buccaneers can allocate additional work to younger defensive linemen and interior rotation candidates. Those extra snaps give the coaching staff a clearer view of depth options and role fit before the offseason program ends.

For Vea, the approach keeps him present around the team while the contract situation remains unresolved. It also reduces workload during a phase of the calendar that is typically geared toward installation and evaluation rather than full-speed preparation.

Training camp is the next checkpoint

Vea’s status will remain a storyline as Tampa Bay moves toward training camp, when on-field work becomes more structured and participation tends to carry more weight. Until then, the club can continue its installation work while monitoring whether the contract-related absence from drills changes.