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Vita Vea was dissatisfied with his contract situation. He’s not disappointed anymore.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Vea agreed on a one-year extension worth $30 million, a person close to the situation confirmed USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to publicly discuss the deal.
The defensive tackle will receive $6 million in new money.
Vea was previously in a contract dispute that escalated to a trade request. Tensions eased recently as the 31-year-old DT was a hold-in at training camp, meaning he attended but did not participate.
Defensive tackles have struck it rich this offseason. Star interior linemen such as Jeffery Simmons (Titans), Quinnen Williams (Cowboys) and Jalen Carter (Eagles) have all inked massive deals. Vea was hoping to join the party.
Wednesday’s agreement appears to include compromises from both sides. Vea’s extension doesn’t make him the highest-paid interior lineman in the NFL, but only Carter, Simmons, Williams and Chris Jones (Chiefs) average over $30 million annually.
Vea’s contract keeps him in Tampa Bay for two more seasons. The Bucs originally drafted Vea 12th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s tallied 256 tackles, 35 sacks and 48 tackles for loss in eight seasons in Tampa Bay. He was also a key member of the Bucs’ Super Bowl 55 winning squad.
The 6-foot-4, 347-pound defensive tackle is a linchpin along Tampa Bay’s defensive line. Vea’s registered 11.5 sacks and 101 pressures the past two seasons, per Pro Football Focus. His pressures and sacks are comparable to the top interior lineman in the league.
The two sides took a little bit of time to negotiate, but the Bucs decided to pay Vea a contract that puts him near the top of the market.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.