Former Washington football star looking for new contract

As NFL teams hold their mandatory minicamps in preparation for the 2026 season, one of the more notable absences around the league has been from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practices in the form of former Washington Huskies star defensive tackle Vita Vea.According to multiple reports, the 31-year-old, who is heading into the final season of a four-year, $71 million contract extension he signed with the organization in 2022, is looking for a new deal. He's owed $17 million for the 2026 campaign, but none of that is guaranteed"My understanding is the contract is playing into this,” NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said of the situation on "The Insiders."

“Again, from my understanding, sources have told me that the fact that he is in the final year of his deal, hasn’t gotten an extension to his point, is part of the reason that he is not participating.”From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: #Buccaneers DT Vita Vea wasn’t practicing at minicamp today and hasn’t been for OTAs in the spring. I’m told it’s related to the two-time Pro Bowler’s contract, as Vea is entering the final year of his deal from 4+ years ago.

pic.twitter.com/KMd1MzQAid— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 17, 2026Throughout his career, the two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl LV champion has been as advertised after a stellar career at Montlake.

He's widely regarded as one of the NFL's best run defenders and has compiled 256 tackles, 48 for loss, with 35 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries over his eight-year careerIf the reported sit-in does play out until later in the summer when training camp officially begins, things might get dicey, and rumors of the No. 12 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft—who has played in Tampa Bay for his entire career—being a potential trade target may begin to swirl.But if you ask head coach Todd Bowles, he'll tell you that there's nothing to worry about.

“We don’t need to see him right now,” he said when asked about Vea missing practices.This article originally appeared on