Why a Buccaneers’ trade of beloved DT Vita Vea would be difficult

Why a Buccaneers’ trade of beloved DT Vita Vea would be difficult originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked like a team heading toward the cellar through the first six weeks of the season, 1-5, while the rest of the NFC South looked up at them. But now, they're 3-5 and within striking distance of the division lead. What that has done is drastically change the team's expected plans for the NFL trade deadline. Once thought of as clear sellers, the Buccaneers now have little reason to sell with a real chance of winning the division. One of the players this has impacted the most is Vita Vea, who was garnering serious trade interest. But, as The Athletic's Jonathan Jones highlighted, a trade of Vea will be very difficult to make happen for a few reasons. Why it will be tough for Buccaneers to trade Vita Vea "Vea signed a one-year, $30 million contract extension in August after protracted negotiations. It would be unusual for the team to deal him less than three months later," Jones writes. "In the NFC South, furthermore, you're always in it." Tampa Bay went through a hassle to sign Vea to this $30 million extension this offseason, and trading him now would only make sense if things were going horribly wrong. That's what it looked like the first six weeks, but after two big wins, where the Buccaneers ran the ball incredibly well, they're now in a real position to make a push for the NFC South division title. While there might be interested teams making offers to the Buccaneers for the star interior defensive lineman, Jason Licht doesn't look likely to trade away a key piece like Vea. MORE :  4 stats that show how bad Chargers' Justin Herbert has been in 2026 But there might be one scenario in which they move him. As Jones writes, "I don't think Tampa Bay would turn down a first-round pick for Vea." If the Buccaneers were offered a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft for Vea from a desperate contender, that would be hard to pass up. Vea is a great, fan-favorite player, but a first-round pick is well above his trade value. Such an offer is not likely to come across their table, but if it did, the Buccaneers might take it. What this should indicate is that, barring an offer impossible to refuse, Vea isn't likely going anywhere. A trade of the $30 million star defensive tackle is not likely, as Tampa Bay is contending for the NFC South entering Week 9, and Vea is a key part of their strong defense. More NFL news: NFL insiders reveal four landing spots for Colts ’ Jonathan Taylor Joe Burrow joins rare NFL history with six touchdowns despite three interceptions Jayden Daniels snaps unbelievable drought with Commanders' win over Eagles Why it's time for Colts to move on from Shane Steichen and Daniel Jones Jerry Jones defends Brian Schottenheimer after Cowboys collapse vs. Cardinals