Sean McVay Declines Having Any Interest in Vita Vea After His Trade Request From Bucs
Super Bowl winning defensive tackle Vita Vea has handed in a trade request so that he can sign a lucrative contract.
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Chargers could help Vita Vea play in California (Image via IMAGO)
After making 112 appearances in eight years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive tackle Vita Vea has asked to be traded. However, one NFL team has already backed out of the race.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler announced that Vea wants the Bucs to trade him to another team. Shortly after, reporters asked the Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay whether they would sign the two-time Pro Bowl tackle.
He’s a stud… But I think we feel good about our group.
Sean McVay stated
The Rams have proven nose tackle Poona Ford on the roster. Ford joined the Rams last year and racked up 47 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a couple of sacks. Pro Football Focus gave the veteran an 86.2 overall grade (fourth-highest in 2025).
Sean McVay was asked about the Rams’ interest in Vita Vea after his trade request from the Bucs. pic.twitter.com/QtzwbiLw8K
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 28, 2026
The Rams also have a young core of players: Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young. They also signed the reigning DPOY, Myles Garrett, and three-time DPOY Aaron Donald could unretire on any given day.
Why has Veta Vea requested a trade?
In January 2022, Vea signed a four-year, $73 million extension with the Buccaneers after the Bucs had picked up his fifth-year option. Four years later, Vea asked for an extension.
However, Vea and the Bucs failed to reach an understanding.
Buccaneers two-time Pro Bowl DT Vita Vea has requested a trade after failed attempts at a contract extension, according to his agent Collin Roberts.
Mike Garafolo of ESPN tweeted
Garafolo further added that Vea is slated to earn $18 million in 2026. Moreover, Vea did not attend the first phase of the offseason training program.
Vea is scheduled to earn $18 million this season on his current deal. He did not participate in the spring program with the #Buccaneers. He’s expected to be with the team for training camp, though his participation is TBD. https://t.co/w4hEbD4mjl
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 27, 2026
According to Spotrac, Vea doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. But he can choose to re-sign with the Bucs if he fails to find a trade partner.
Vea is the last of the Bucs’ 2020 Super Bowl-winning team. Earlier in the year, the Bucs lost All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers. If they also lose Vea, then head coach Todd Bowles will come under a lot of scrutiny.
The Bucs are in the process of negotiating a new deal with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Per Pewter Report, the Pro Bowler is in line to sign a contract between $50 million and $55 million.
A brief walkthrough of Vita Vea’s career in the NFL
The Buccaneers drafted Vea 12th overall in 2018. In his first two seasons in the NFC South, Vea racked up 63 tackles and 5.5 sacks. During week five of year three, Vea fractured his leg and ankle, which forced him to sit out the rest of the regular season. The Bucs activated Vea for the playoffs. In the Super Bowl, he recorded a tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs, won his first ring.
In the following five years, Vea missed just six games. Vea has accumulated 256 combined tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 35 sacks, and nine passes defensed.
Vea has played eight postseason games. In those games, he racked up 11 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Vea played college football for the University of Washington Huskies. In 37 appearances, he logged 99 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. Vea won the Pac-12 DPOY, the Morris Trophy, and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 team in 2017.
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