The Buffalo Bills are doing their homework at defensive tackle, and the name at the center of the buzz is a big one: Vita Vea.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Friday night, Buffalo is among the teams that have reached out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about the veteran defensive tackle’s availability. The list Garafolo mentioned also included the Bears and 49ers, along with a few others, but Tampa Bay’s stance has not changed.
“Teams have called the Buccaneers to see if they’re interested in trading (Vea),” Garafolo said on NFL GameDay. “Amongst them, I’m told, are the Bills, the Bears, the 49ers and there are a few others as well. The Buccaneers continue to say internally they’re not trading Vita Vea.”
Vea is currently in a hold-in while pushing for a new contract. He’s due to make $18 million this season and is seeking a raise that would put him in line with other players at his level. Even with the contract situation hanging over things, he remains one of the league’s best at clogging run lanes and pressuring quarterbacks.
The Bills’ interest makes more sense in light of another development on Friday: Phidarian Mathis was reported to be suspended for the first three games of the 2026 season. Mathis had been listed as Buffalo’s second-team defensive tackle on the team’s unofficial depth chart this week.
That leaves Buffalo looking at Deone Walker and DeWayne Carter as its top two defensive tackles for now. Walker was strong at defensive tackle in Buffalo’s 4-3 defense, but in Jim Leonhard’s 3-4, his best spot may be as a 4i defensive end.
If Buffalo were somehow able to land Vea, the Bills could move Walker outside and build a front that includes Ed Oliver, Vea and Walker.
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