Vita Vea trade seems imminent with Chargers listed as potential suitor

Vita Vea requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early in training camp, and it appears the Pro Bowl defensive tackle will get his wish.

Contract negotiations between Vea and the Buccaneers have evidently stalled and rumors quickly swirled about a potential next landing spot for the 31-year-old. Vea reportedly hopes to join a California team or the Las Vegas Raiders, immediately inserting the Los Angeles Chargers into the mix.

According to Vea’s agent, a trade is practically a guarantee at this point.

“I just don’t see it ending in anything but a trade at this point,” Collin Roberts said to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tampa has experienced contract issues beyond Vea, with quarterback Baker Mayfield expressing his dissatisfaction with the Buccaneers.

“That’s really the disappointing part — to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it,” Mayfield said at the end of July.

Unlike Mayfield, Vea has opted to hold-in during training camp. While he is present with the team, Vea isn’t participating in practice or team drills until the two parties find a resolution to the ongoing contract saga.

Based on Roberts’ remarks, Vea’s tenure in Tampa is nearing its end.

How would Vita Vea fit with Chargers?

While the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Raiders have all been listed as potential landing spots for Vea, the Chargers perhaps present the most intriguing option as a squad looking to earn its first playoff win in the Jim Harbaugh era.

While the team doesn’t necessarily need Vea, the Chargers could certainly benefit by adding a bona fide star to the defense. Adding Vea would bolster the unit’s pass rush, which would aid the Chargers’ struggles in collapsing pockets from the inside.

Last season, the Chargers ranked last in the league with just 41 pressures from interior lineman. Vea remains an elite run-stuffer and interior pocket collapser.

General manager Joe Hortiz’s front office approach is quite conservative with the Chargers being careful about making blockbuster moves involving big contracts and premium draft picks. Acquiring Vea would likely require both.

If Hortiz sticks to his front office philosophy, the Chargers trading for Vea seems unlikely. However, the Chargers have the means to take on a major contract like Vea’s and the team could surprise the league by landing the Pro Bowl nose tackle.

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