The Bears had a swing lined up for Vita Vea, and now it’s off the board.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle asked for a trade, Chicago quickly emerged as a team to watch. But that path disappeared once Tampa Bay handed Vea a one-year, $30 million contract extension. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Bears were firmly in the mix before the deal got done.
For Ryan Poles, the attempt makes sense. Chicago still has a glaring need on the defensive line, and Vea, a two-time Pro Bowler, would have been a major addition. In that kind of spot, you make the call and see if a deal can take shape.
The bigger question is why the Bears are having these conversations now. The same front office reportedly explored Maxx Crosby during the offseason, and if the defensive line was a priority then, the urgency feels a little late now. Vea’s new price tag would have landed north of $30 million per year, which only sharpens that point.
So for the moment, Chicago is left with what it has. That’s not a disaster, but it does leave real concerns heading into the 2026 season, especially with the pass rush and run defense still looking thin.
The Bears are now leaning harder on Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. as their top defensive tackles. Dexter has shown plenty, while Jarrett’s first impression with the fan base has been underwhelming. Rookie Jordan van den Berg is also in the mix, and the team is high on what he could become.
On the edge, Chicago is moving forward with Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo. Sweat is already established as a difference-maker. Booker and Odeyingbo, though, still have plenty to prove before Bears fans are ready to feel comfortable with that group.
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