The Chicago Bears spent months teasing the possibility of a big trade for defensive line help. Of course, most of that was centered around pass rushers. Maxx Crosby was the name they were connected to the most. That didn’t end up happening. After the Pro Bowler ended up back in Las Vegas after the deal with Baltimore fell through, everything went quiet. Most felt the Bears were content to move forward with what they have. Apparently, that isn’t entirely the case. Recent buzz around star Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea has drawn their interest.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that multiple teams have checked in on Vea’s availability since his request for a trade went public. Three teams were mentioned as the most interested: Buffalo, San Francisco, and Chicago.
At first glance, some would be confused by this. Vea is not a top pass rusher by any stretch. He’s also older than Crosby. Why would the Bears have any interest in him? The answer is pretty simple. Vea is the best run defender in the league. Chicago was 27th against the run last season.
Vita Vea would make life much easier up front.
The giant 350 lbs nose tackle is impossible to move without double teams, and even then, his raw power allows him to control the point of attack. Then, if you’re not careful, he has enough athleticism and quickness to generate some pressure up the middle. Offenses are forced to devote extra attention to slowing him down, allowing other teammates to get one-on-one matchups. That would certainly help put the Bears in more 3rd and long situations, allowing Montez Sweat and Austin Booker more pass rush opportunities. Dennis Allen would also be able to deploy his exotic pressure packages.
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All that said, the Buccaneers have maintained their stance that no trade is being entertained. Vea is in the last year of his contract. The team knows he’s a vital part of their defense. If they won’t extend him, they will at least get one more year out of him before he becomes a free agent. Then again, all of this could be posturing on both sides. Tampa Bay is willing to entertain offers but won’t move him for a pittance. Age and contract aside, he is still a good player and should fetch a decent draft pick.
The Bears must be careful.
Players like Vita Vea don’t last long into their 30s. Bigger linemen wear down faster because of their sheer bulk. It’s hard to carry all of that weight around. As freakish as he is, most nose tackles don’t survive beyond the age of 34. That means at the most, Vea has three more seasons of good-to-great play left. Any team that trades for him must have that in mind. This is why the Buccaneers will not get a 1st round pick for him and probably not a 2nd either. They’re looking at either a 3rd rounder or a couple of mid-rounders.
That does slot into general manager Ryan Poles safe zone. He has never traded more than a 2nd round pick for any player. Chase Claypool and Montez Sweat were both in their mid-20s, so they hadn’t peaked yet. Trading for Vea would be a calculated gamble that he can give the team three good years. That means any extension they offer would cap at two years. They aren’t rich in picks or cap space, so this move is because they believe he can nudge them closer to a Super Bowl.
