Vita Vea's Minicamp Hold-In Not Creating Discord with Buccaneers

Vita Vea's choice to hold-in during the recent minicamp has sparked considerable discussion, but it appears to have not caused any friction between him and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ESPN commentator Booger McFarland shared insights on NFL Live, indicating that there are no significant worries regarding Vea's efforts to negotiate a more lucrative contract with the team.

McFarland remarked, "I'm not concerned. Again, we're in June. He's holding in. He's showing up." Living in Tampa, he noted that there has been no tension between Vea and the organization, despite the defensive tackle observing peers like Dexter Lawrence earning more money. "I think he just wants a bit of a pay bump, realizing he's probably got one more bite at the apple," McFarland added, expressing confidence that the situation will be settled.

Head Coach Todd Bowles also seems untroubled by Vea's hold-in, viewing it as a normal part of the business. In comments about Vea, Bowles stated, "It’s not concerning. We’ve been through it before. It’s part of the business." However, he was less certain when asked if Vea would attend training camp without a new contract, saying, "I cannot tell you that. I cannot speak for him."

Vea has not participated in any practices this offseason, opting to train with former teammate Ndamukong Suh in Portland instead. His absence is partly due to a desire to avoid injury before securing a contract, particularly given his history of offseason injuries, including a significant calf strain in his rookie year.

There remains ample opportunity for both Vea and the Buccaneers to come to a resolution, whether that be a fresh multi-year contract or an adjustment to Vea's 2026 salary. The Buccaneers previously faced a similar situation in 2024 with tackle Tristan Wirfs, who participated only in individual drills until he secured a new deal. As Bowles pointed out, such scenarios are common in the league, and while he would prefer to have Vea on the field, he recognizes the importance of players feeling valued for their performance.

Currently, there is no apparent discord between Vea and the Buccaneers, and both parties seem inclined to resolve the matter amicably before any potential issues arise.