Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht addressed the contract situations of team cornerstones Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea on Thursday.
Licht said the Buccaneers don't intend to move defensive tackle Vea despite his recent trade request.
"I have no plans of trading Vita," Licht said, according to Fox Sports' Greg Auman.
Licht added that he's gotten calls from teams inquiring about the two-time Pro Bowler, who reportedly wants to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, or San Francisco 49ers. Vea is entering the final season of a four-year, $71-million extension signed in 2022. He ranks 19th among interior defensive linemen with an average annual salary of $17.75 million, according to Over the Cap.
Licht's comments arrive a day after Vea's agent, Collin Roberts, said he doesn't see the contract standoff "ending in anything but a trade at this point." Vea has been a nonparticipant in training camp due to what the team described as a minor back issue.
Licht also praised Mayfield, who recently voiced his frustration after not receiving a contract extension by the start of camp, which served as the signal-caller's self-imposed deadline.
"I've been told I'm a franchise quarterback," Mayfield said last Thursday.
Licht still wants to ink a long-term extension with Mayfield, though he added that Tampa Bay could use the franchise tag on him in 2027 if the two sides can't agree on a deal, according to Auman.
"We think he is (a franchise quarterback)," Licht said. "We love Baker. Our feelings for Baker haven't changed."
