Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea was expected to garner some interest ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
During the offseason amid Vea’s contract dispute with the team, he requested a trade and there were a handful of teams who expressed interest. But those conversations came to an abrupt end when the Buccaneers finally signed him to a contract extension.
But with the Buccaneers at 3-6, trade rumors resurfaced. With several teams around the league pursuing a defensive tackle, many wondered if Tampa Bay could consider parting ways with Vea and his expensive contract in exchange for valuable draft capital to build for the future. But the deadline has come and gone, and general manager Jason Licht stood pat.
Given the value other defensive tackles commanded on the trade market, did the Bucs miss an opportunity to cash in on an aging Vea?
The Buccaneers may have missed a golden opportunity to trade Vita Vea
Vea is undoubtedly a crucial part of Todd Bowles’ defense, serving as the nose tackle and playing a key role in the team’s success stopping the run.
But Vea is 31 years old, and set to make $30 million fully guaranteed next season in the final year of his deal.
His production has also taken a dip this season. He’s recorded 18 total tackles and a sack, while his current 54.7 Pro Football Focus grade is the lowest of his nine-year career.
Bill Belichick used to say it’s better to move on from a player a year too early than a year too late. Well, Vea is showing early signs of decline as he enters the latter stages of his career. Perhaps the Buccaneers should’ve been more open to entertaining offers before his value takes another hit and they’re stuck footing the bill.
Buccaneers could have cashed in on a booming defensive tackle trade market
The Chicago Bears made the biggest splash acquisition of any team, acquiring defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick.
The Bears were among the teams who called about Vea in the offseason, so it’s fair to assume their interest may have lingered prior to acquiring Simmons.
The Jacksonville Jaguars followed suit with a big move of their own, acquiring Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a first and second round pick.
Jacksonville didn’t have any direct reports linking them to Vea, but their pursuit of a high-end defensive tackle was well known around the NFL, and Vea’s familiarity with Jaguars head coach Liam Coen made it a natural fit.
Of course, Vea likely wouldn’t have commanded quite as much in a trade as Simmons or Davis. After all, Simmons is only 29 years old and is arguably the NFL’s best defensive tackle, while Davis is producing at a comparable level to Vea while being five years younger.
Still, the interest was there, and the defensive tackle market was booming with the position in high demand. Vea isn’t getting any younger, and the Buccaneers will likely never get another opportunity to trade him at this value. Even landing a second-round pick in exchange for Vea at this stage of his career would’ve been a success.
But ultimately, the front office was aware of the trade market and decided Vea was a player worth keeping around. Hopefully, he continues to play at a high level for the remainder of this contract so this decision doesn’t come back to haunt the Buccaneers as a missed opportunity to cash in.
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