Alex Anzalone on Bucs' Standoff With Vita Vea: 'It'll All Work Out'

Although new linebacker Alex Anzalone didn't play in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' preseason-opening 24-16 win against the New York Jets, he was able to provide a noteworthy moment after the game.

While speaking with NFL insider Mike Garafolo in a post-game interview, Anzalone was detailing the work Tampa's starters, who didn't suit up for Friday's contest, were able to get in during the team's two days of joint practices with the Jets. 

As the conversation turned towards Anzalone talking about who stood out to him during the game, including a show-stealing performance from rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes, whose 47-yard pick-six completely changed the game, a very large man entered the frame.

That very large man was star defensive tackle Vita Vea, who is still involved in a contract standoff with the team.

Vea and Anzalone shared a quick laugh before the former walked away, barely breaking his stride during the interaction.

After Garafolo mentioned the "big fella" passing by, Anzalone was quick to offer his thoughts on Vea and his importance to the team. Despite Vea's agent claiming that a trade is the only outcome he can see for ending the stalemate, Anzalone expressed confidence that his new team and new teammate will figure things out.

“We need him. We’ll see what happens. It’ll all work out and I think that it’ll be nice playing behind him, have that big guy taking up all the blocks.”

Despite the situation between the Bucs and Vea looking like it has fractured their relationship, are we starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel?

If you need a quick recap of how we got here with Vea and the Bucs, Vea is entering the final year of his contract. While Vea is still one of the best in the league at his position, his salary only ranks 19th among DTs this season.

Vea staged a hold-in during mandatory minicamp in June, hoping it would lead to a new contract. It didn't, and Vea was forced to watch as the DT market was reset by Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, and Jalen Carter. Both Simmons' and Carter's new salaries are more than twice as much as Vea's, who requested a trade at the beginning of training camp.

Tampa's general manager, Jason Licht, has been adamant that he will not trade Vea, yet there has been no resolution.

Do this weekend's events suggest that the two sides may be inching closer to a deal?

For starters, Vea showed up. Despite his June hold-in and not practicing with the team during camp due to a "back tweak," Vea traveled with the Bucs for the game against the Jets.

That's...something?

There are also reports that Vea is not only open to continuing negotiations with Tampa, but is excited about it.

“He is excited. He is hoping the talks continue there with his contract. He was still there coaching his guys. We saw the defensive line (at a joint practice) with Rueben Bain. (Vea) is excited to get out there and hopefully have a chance to play with (Bain),” Maurice Jones-Drew said on NFL Network.

The likeliest outcome for Vea's contract dispute is the Bucs adding a few million extra dollars to his 2026 salary, as suggested by someone (me) in June, comparing his situation to that of DT Cam Heyward's with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Ian Rapoport recently suggested the same thing.

Just having Vea around the team is a good sign that there is hope for a positive outcome. Vea rightfully feels underpaid compared to other DTs in the league, while the Bucs are rightfully hesitant to commit a big-money extension to a player who is already 31.

It is time for both sides to relent a little in negotiations. There is a perfectly reasonable compromise staring them in the face, one where both Vea and the Bucs can walk away at least feeling content.

Anzalone seems confident that he will get to play behind Vea this season. Hopefully, he is proven right sooner rather than later.