Vita Vea's agent believes the defensive tackle has played his last snap with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a contract standoff between the two sides.
"I just don't see it ending in anything but a trade at this point," Collin Roberts told the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.
Vea requested a trade last week after extension talks fell through over the offseason. He's scheduled to earn $18 million this season - the final year of a four-year, $73-million deal he signed in 2022.
The 31-year-old's average annual salary makes him the 21st-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, according to Over The Cap. The defensive tackle market has reset this summer as a result of stars Jeffery Simmons and Jalen Carter receiving contracts that will net them north of $35 million per year.
Vea reportedly wants to play for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, or Las Vegas Raiders. He grew up in Milpitas, California, near Levi's Stadium, where the 49ers play.
Tampa Bay is also in a public contract battle with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who's voiced his frustration after failing to reach an extension agreement with the team this offseason.
Vea didn't participate in spring practices and hasn't suited up in training camp sessions despite reporting to the team's facilities. He's currently sidelined with a back injury, though head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Tuesday that he isn't worried about Vea's absence.
"We've only been in pads for two days," Bowles said. "We're not concerned at this point, and I think those things take care of themselves. Once we get past two or three preseason games, you start to worry a little bit.
"But right now, there's a lot of contracts getting done and a lot of people in camp that are sitting in or whatever, holding in. There's a lot of people nicked up. We go about business as usual. He's been very engaged, and he's been great."
Vea entered the league as a first-round pick in 2018. His 101 quarterback pressures over the last two seasons rank seventh among all defensive tackles, according to TruMedia.
The two-time Pro Bowler has recorded 256 tackles, 79 quarterback hits, and 35 sacks in 112 career games.
