The Buccaneers have made another transaction involving one of last season's starters.
Tampa Bay has exercised the fifth-year option on standout defensive tackle Vita Vea, the team announced.
A first-round pick in 2018, Vea, 26, was limited to five games in 2020 due to fractures in his right leg and ankle. After missing the Bucs' Wild Card and Divisional Round playoff matchups, Vea returned in the NFC Championship game against the Packers and played 33 snaps.
Against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, Vea played 31 snaps and recorded one tackle in the Bucs' 31-9 victory.
After Tampa decided to hand Shaquil Barrett and Lavonte David multi-year deals in free agency, it's not far-fetched to assume the team will look to do the same with the young defensive stalwart down the line.
For now, the Bucs have given themselves some flexibility and more time to decide what a potential deal for Vea would look like before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
Here's other news Around the NFL is monitoring on Monday:
- Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee announced his retirement after 11 seasons. The two-time Pro Bowler recorded 995 tackles, 14 INTs, 30 passes defensed in his career.
- San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch announced the team will pick up starting offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey's fifth-year option.
- Former Steelers and Cardinals offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert is retiring from the NFL. Gilbert, 33, opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said cornerback Jaire Alexander's fifth-year option has not been picked up, "but I would certainly expect us to do so." Alexander made his first Pro Bowl this past season and was a second-team All-Pro.
- The Las Vegas Raiders announced Monday they have signed tight end Carson Williams.
