As the 2026 NFL season draws closer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have major business to settle off the field.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the organization have yet to find common ground on a new contract. And if that wasn’t enough, two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea also requested a trade just before reporting for his ninth training camp in Tampa Bay.
Both these developments have added to the pressure on the front office and general manager Jason Licht.
Baker Mayfield, Vita Vea Deadlocks Source of Concern For Jason Licht
Speaking on “Inside Football,” Licht admitted that contract situations have become the biggest concern beyond the upcoming season.
“My biggest stressor right now is not just this year, but keeping the team together and going back to a great staff,” Licht said.
“We’ve drafted some really good players and have contracts that are either going to be up after this year or going to be, you know, eligible after this year. And unfortunately, the negative side of having some great drafts is you can’t pay everybody.”
He underlined that the Buccaneers cannot focus on one extension without considering its effect on future negotiations.
“You have to look at the big picture when you’re making every decision, how it’s going to affect what you’re going to do in the future. Keeping the gang together is probably my biggest stressor.”
For now, Mayfield’s negotiations remain at the center of the conversation.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Tampa Bay’s final proposal was a two-year contract worth a shade above $100 million in all. However, Mayfield turned it down and later told reporters he felt disrespected by the length of the deal on the table.
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Going into the new season, an unhappy starting quarterback is not ideal for the Bucs. And if this continues, they will eventually lose Mayfield to free agency.
Last season, he had a passer rating of 90.6 with 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 games. Those numbers saw him rank 22nd in PFN’s QB Impact Metric. However, in 2024, he finished 4th. All things considered, there are bound to be suitors in 2027 NFL free agency.
Looking at Vea’s contract, the defensive tackle is entering the final year of the four-year contract. Back in 2022, he signed a $71 million extension and is scheduled to make $17 million in base salary this season.
However, the deal no longer includes guaranteed money, which explains why Vea is pushing for long-term security before stepping onto the field again.
Since arriving as a first-round pick in 2018, Vea has anchored their defensive front and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most reliable interior linemen.
His presence helped fuel the franchise’s Super Bowl 55 championship run, and his consistent production has earned him two Pro Bowl selections while cementing his place among the NFL’s top players at the position.
Vea also finished No. 25 in PFN’s DT Impact Rankings during the 2025-26 season.
If Tampa Bay cannot resolve the situation, the impact could be significant. The Bucs already finished 20th in points allowed last season, and losing their top defensive tackle would only make that unit harder to rebuild.
Licht must now balance Vea’s future with Mayfield’s ongoing negotiations while protecting the club’s long-term plans. Finding solutions to both situations quickly could determine how competitive the Bucs remain heading into the 2026 season.
