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Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Interesting today that head coach Todd Bowles did not deny the NFL Network report claiming Vita Vea didn’t get on the field at mandatory minicamp this week because of a contract extension he has yet to secure.
Mike Garafolo dropped the news yesterday and Bowles was matter of fact about it. “We’ve been through it before. It’s part of the business,” he said after practice today.
Vea is due nearly $18 million this season, and the Bucs’ 2018 first-round draft pick has no contract for 2027. He’d be a pending free agent at 32 years old following this season.
Contract years? Bowles was asked about that today as it relates to linebacker SirVocea Dennis. His answer applied to Vea, as well.
“Everybody’s headed to a contract year at some point,” Bowles said. “I don’t concern myself with that.”
Joe’s not sure why exactly the Bucs would drop a contract extension on Vea now. He surely would want north of $20 million annually and guys his size and age rarely have long shelf lives.
Might Vea skip training camp without a new deal? That’s unclear, but Joe highly doubts Vea has a burning desire to be a “Buc For Life.”
Joe is not down on Vea, but Vea doesn’t seem like that kind of Mr. Buccaneer. He’s being mentored by Ndamukong Suh, who very much is about money. Joe listened to all of the Vea-Suh financial conversation sitdown on Suh’s podcast last year.
Would Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht shop Vea if he was determined to force the Bucs’ hand on a contract? Joe could envision that, especially if the Bucs’ defensive line stayed healthy through the preseason and a quality cornerback was available.
No, Joe is not wishing away Vea, but Joe has seen the trend of unhappy players getting shipped out across the NFL.