49Ers Lead Race for Vita Vea as Raiders Eye Trade Option
WHO:
Niners Nation - Vita Vea reportedly wants to play on a California team or the Las Vegas Raiders.
Heavy NFL - Vita Vea, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has requested a trade.
Heavy NFL - Vea's agent is Collin Roberts.
Niners Nation - Vea is 31 years old.
WHAT:
Niners Nation - Vita Vea did not miss a game in 2025.
Niners Nation - The New England Patriots are among five potential fits for Vita Vea following his trade request, as reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Heavy NFL - The Giants traded Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, providing a reference point for potential trade valuations.
Niners Nation - The Raiders have brought in three players to help with their nose tackle position: Benito Jones, Brandon Cleveland (drafted), and Gary Smith II (undrafted free agent).
Heavy NFL - Vita Vea's trade request was made public on July 28, 2026, after contract extension negotiations stalled.
Heavy NFL - The potential trade valuation for Vea is close to a mid- to late third-round pick, considering his age, production, positional value, and contract status.
Niners Nation - Vea played the 15th-most snaps at his position and was 46th in defensive stops and 29th in sacks last season.
Niners Nation - Vea had double-digit tackles for loss numbers a year ago and was 21st in pressure rate.
Niners Nation - Vea is currently the 19th-highest-paid player at his position based on average annual salary for interior defensive linemen.
Niners Nation - Vea is owed $17 million in 2026.
Heavy NFL - Vita Vea's trade request was made public on July 28, 2026, after contract extension negotiations stalled.
Heavy NFL - The potential trade valuation for Vea is close to a mid- to late third-round pick, considering his age, production, positional value, and contract status.
Niners Nation - Vea has only missed six games since signing his contract extension in 2022.
Niners Nation - The New England Patriots have been identified as one of five potential fits for Vita Vea following his trade request.
Silver And Black Pride - The Las Vegas Raiders are switching to a 3-4 defense in 2026, increasing their need for a nose tackle.
Heavy NFL - Vita Vea has requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after contract extension negotiations stalled.
Niners Nation - Vea is entering the final year of his four-year, $71 million contract signed in January 2022.
Niners Nation - Vea played the 15th-most snaps at his position and was 46th in defensive stops and 29th in sacks last season.
Niners Nation - Vea had double-digit tackles for loss numbers a year ago and was 21st in pressure rate.
Niners Nation - Vea is currently the 19th-highest-paid player at his position based on average annual salary for interior defensive linemen.
Niners Nation - Vea is owed $17 million in 2026.
WHERE:
Niners Nation - Vea grew up in the Bay Area and attended Milpitas High School.
WHEN:
Heavy NFL - Vea requested a trade on July 27, 2026.
Heavy NFL - News of Vea's trade request broke on July 28, 2026.
WHY:
Heavy NFL - Vea's trade request follows stalled negotiations on a contract extension.
HOW:
Niners Nation - The potential trade valuation for Vea is close to a mid- to late third-round pick, considering his age, production, positional value, and contract status.
Niners Nation - The potential trade valuation for Vea is close to a mid- to late third-round pick, considering his age, production, positional value, and contract status.
Niners Nation - The potential trade valuation for Vea is close to a mid- to late third-round pick, considering his age, production, positional value, and contract status.
Vita Vea, who impressively did not miss a game in 2025, has requested a trade, and the New England Patriots are being mentioned as one of five potential fits for him, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. In another significant move, the Giants traded Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, setting a benchmark for trade valuations. Meanwhile, the Raiders have bolstered their nose tackle position by bringing in three players: Benito Jones, Brandon Cleveland, who was drafted, and undrafted free agent Gary Smith II.