Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is requesting a trade from the team if the two sides cannot get a deal. Considering the Chicago Bears need on the defensive line, this has immediately pushed them to the front of the speculative suitors for his services. Does a deal make sense for both sides?
Chicago Bears projected to pursue Vita Vea in a trade
Vea is one of the best run defenders in the NFL. However, what makes him so valuable is that he also brings 17 sacks over the past three seasons. To put that into perspective, Gervon Dexter has 13.5 sacks and Grady Jarrett has 5.5 sacks over the past three seasons. Not only is Vea a better run defender, the Bears top two interior lineman combine to hardly surpass Vea and his production as a pass rusher.
So, the fit would obviously be good. Dennis Allen coached the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South for a long-time, so he has faced Vea twice a year for most of his coaching career. He knows what the team could be getting.
Right now, the speculated trade compensation is something like a second-round pick on top of a fifth-round pick. Perhaps the Bears try to throw in one of Dexter or Jarrett to free up the snaps for Vea, while softening the trade cost to acquire him.
The big question is going to come down the salary cap. Chicago currently has just over $8M in salary cap space. Vea is on a deal that makes him about $22M per on Average Annual Salary and he is demanding a trade because he wants a bump up from that.
Dexter Lawrence saw his pay jump to $28M per year when the New York Giants traded him to the Cincinnati Bengals. Vea might not make quite that much, but it is going to be in the range around there.
Chicago could extend Vea for multiple years, which would allow them to soften his first year cap hit. If they do not intend to extend Dexter, they could give him the salary that he was projected to see. They could also maneuver a few contracts on the roster.
There are some ways to maneuver and make things happen. However, it might end up being more complicated for the Bears than other teams despite the massive need. They are going to be an option, but might not be the best fit.
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