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Vita Vea Observes Buccaneers Minicamp Without Participating
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is observing practices without participating during the final year of his four-year, $71 million deal. Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the situation and said a resolution before training camp is uncertain.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is observing minicamp practices from the sideline without participating. He is entering the final year of a four-year, $71 million contract and is set to earn $17 million this season, none of which is guaranteed. Coach Todd Bowles stated on Wednesday that Vea is a minicamp hold-in.
Bowles said on Tuesday that Vea is not injured. He added, "We're just bringing him in that late. " Vea did not participate in OTAs and has been training with former teammate Ndamukong Suh in Portland, Oregon, an arrangement he has followed for multiple years.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Vea is not practicing due to a contract situation. Minicamps are considered mandatory, and Vea's presence at the facility allows him to avoid fines while not taking part in drills. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is also entering the final year of his contract and has been actively trying to negotiate a new deal.
Mayfield has been a full participant in minicamp. In 2024, All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs was a hold-in during minicamp. Negotiations extended into training camp, and Wirfs participated only in individual drills before reaching a new agreement.
Vea has a history of injuries that occurred during training camp periods. He suffered a broken right leg and ankle fracture in 2020, missed most of training camp and the first three games of his 2018 rookie season with a strained left calf, dealt with an LCL sprain in 2019, and missed practices last year due to a foot injury.
