After holding in during mandatory minicamp earlier this summer and throughout training camp, Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea is getting the raise he has been after, and a contract extension. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Bucs and Vea have agreed to a one-year contract extension worth $30 million, including $6 million more on his salary this season.

This is a great outcome for Vea, as the $18 million owed this year turns into $24 million with an additional one-year, $24 million for 2027. That effectively makes it a two-year, $48 million deal moving forward, with Pewter Report learning that the entire $48 million is guaranteed.

A Compromise For Bucs And Vita Vea

This is an ideal compromise for both parties involved. At times it felt like this was going to be the last year of Vita Vea in Red and Pewter, but he’ll be in Tampa after this season. Over 30 years old, the Bucs didn’t necessarily want to pay him a long-term deal for several years given his age.

However, there is no denying that the importance of Vea in Tampa Bay’s defense.

He has been so important to what they do defensively and not having him around when not help the team. Vea has not practiced after tweaking his back a day before camp, but this was more of a hold in as he wanted a new deal. Bucs fans cane rejoice as it came about Wednesday night.

Bucs DT Vita Vea and 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

A Franchise Stalwart

Vita Vea has been the literal centerpiece of head coach Todd Bowles’ defense since Bowles arrived in Tampa Bay in 2019.

Since then, Vea has averaged 32.6 tackles, 4.6 sacks, 44.1 pressures, 21.6 defensive stops and 6.3 TFL’s per season – and that’s including 2020 when he only played in five regular season games before heroically returning from an ankle fracture to play in the NFC Championship game as well as the Super Bowl.

Since Bowles and Vea paired up the Bucs’ defense has been one of the best run-stopping units in the NFL, ranking 4th in EPA/rush, 10th in yards per carry and 3rd in rush yards per game allowed. The unit has been successful when Vea has been off the field due to Bowles’ emphasis on stopping the run, but Vea acts as a true unicorn that other teams have to game-plan around. Without him the team will have to re-think some of their defensive approach.