The Buffalo Bills have a sudden need along the interior of their defensive line following news that defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis will be suspended for the first three games of the 2026 NFL season. It remains to be seen how new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will tackle that concern, given that Mathis was one of the team’s clear-cut answers as a one-tech option.
A report by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network on Friday, August 14 ahead of the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets has revealed that the Bills are among a group of three teams to have checked in with Tampa Bay’s front office about defensive tackle Vita Vea, and his availability as it relates to a potential trade.
Garafolo reported that “(Vea’s) upset that he’s entering the final year of his deal, set to make around $18 million dollars this upcoming season with the top of the defensive tackle market now at $38 million, and a few other guys that he feels his production is comparable with also getting deals in the $30-plus-million-dollar range,” adding that he won’t wear the Buccaneers’ jersey and “it’s clear Vea is upset.” As for Vea’s productive tenure with Tampa Bay, Garafolo noted that the defensive tackle and some of his teammates reposted a social media share highlighting key stats while claiming “yeah, this is the point we’re trying to make.”
Earlier this summer, the 31-year-old Vea had asked the Buccaneers for a trade, but the team has been unwilling to meet his request. To this point in the offseason, Vea hasn’t practiced with the team and he won’t play in their first preseason game.
Despite the Bucs’ reticence to trade Vea and Garafolo stating his understanding that “there has been communication between the sides,” it remains true that “a deal is not imminent, teams have called the Buccaneers to see if they’re interested in trading (with) them. Garafolo then added that ”amongst them, I’m told is the Bills, the Bears, the 49ers, and there are a few others as well. But the Buccaneers continue to say, internally, they are not trading Vita Vea.
While many have agreed that it’s unlikely Vea gets traded, ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter isn’t among that group, which could open the door for Buffalo’s decision makers to meaningfully try and get something done. Chris Trapasso even wrote about a group of players who could find themselves part of a trade this August.