Vita Vea attends minicamp but does not participate due to contract issue
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 8:04 PM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is present at the team's mandatory minicamp but is not participating in drills. His absence from activities is reported to be contract-related, as he enters the final year of a $71 million contract extension signed in January 2022. Coach Todd Bowles stated that Vea is healthy and emphasized that there is no immediate need for him to participate in drills. Vea is set to earn $17 million in base salary for the 2026 season, which ranks 19th among defensive tackles based on his annual average salary.
- •Vea attends minicamp but does not participate in drills
- •Absence attributed to contract-related issues
- •He is healthy, according to Coach Todd Bowles
- •Scheduled to earn $17 million in 2026
- •Ranks 19th among defensive tackles by average salary
- 8:04 PMYahoo Sports — Vita Vea’s lack of participation, attendance at Buccaneers practices raises questions
- 6:51 AMYahoo Sports — Why Vita Vea Wasn't Practicing at Mandatory Minicamp
- 1:17 AMYahoo Sports — Report: Vita Vea's non-participation in minicamp is "contract-related"
"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suddenly have another contract storyline brewing, and this one involves the heart of their defense. Per Mike Garafolo, defensive tackle Vita Vea has been present for mandatory minicamp but has not participated in drills due to a contract-related situation as he enters the final year of his current deal. He also […]
"Tampa Bay’s massive defensive tackle is staging a "hold-in" at minicamp, sidelining himself from drills to gain leverage for a lucrative extension as contract negotiations hit a stalemate.
"Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is attending the team's mandatory minicamp, avoiding a $107,911 fine for missing all three days.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 8:04 PMVita Vea’s lack of participation, attendance at Buccaneers practices raises questions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suddenly have another contract storyline brewing, and this one involves the heart of their defense. Per Mike Garafolo, defensive tackle Vita Vea has been present for mandatory minicamp but has not participated in drills due to a contract-related situation as he enters the final year of his current deal. He also […]
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 6:51 AMWhy Vita Vea Wasn't Practicing at Mandatory Minicamp
Tampa Bay’s massive defensive tackle is staging a "hold-in" at minicamp, sidelining himself from drills to gain leverage for a lucrative extension as contract negotiations hit a stalemate.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 1:17 AMReport: Vita Vea's non-participation in minicamp is "contract-related"
Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is attending the team's mandatory minicamp, avoiding a $107,911 fine for missing all three days.
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