The Buccaneers announced the one-year extension for defensive lineman Vita Vea on Wednesday.
The deal took longer and was more acrimonious than expected, with Vea requesting a trade before holding in at training camp. Ultimately, though, both sides got what they wanted.
The Bucs will have Vea through at least the 2027 season, and Vea received $30 million in new money.
“Vita is exactly the type of player and person we want to build around in Tampa Bay,” General Manager Jason Licht said in a statement. “He has been a dominant force in the middle of our defense, an exceptional teammate, and a tremendous leader in our locker room. One of the keys to our recent success has been our ability to draft, develop and re-sign core, foundational players who set the standard for what it means to be a Buccaneer. As one of our team leaders, Vita has played a big role in establishing that winning culture, and we are excited to have him continuing to help lead the way as we pursue our next championship.”
Vea, the 12th overall selection in the 2018 draft, has appeared in 112 games with 107 starts over the past eight seasons. He has recorded 256 tackles, 35 sacks, 48 tackles, 79 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and nine passes defensed.
His 35 sacks rank eighth in franchise history.
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