The Tampa Bay Buccaneers locked up one among their most vital defenders for the longer term only a day earlier than their regular-season finale towards the Carolina Panthers. On Saturday night, the Bucs introduced that that they had agreed to a four-year extension with defensive sort out Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea — higher referred to as Vita Vea. In keeping with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the four-year extension is value over $73 million.

Vea is within the midst of his fourth season with the Buccaneers, and has recorded 31 mixed tackles, 12 quarterback hits and a career-high 4.0 sacks in 15 video games performed. He was initially chosen by Tampa Bay with the No. 12 general choose within the 2018 NFL Draft out of Washington, the place he was named the Pat Tillman Pac 12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months again in 2017. In 49 profession video games performed, the 6-foot-4, 347-pound defenseman has recorded 104 mixed tackles, 11.5 sacks, 31 QB hits, 16 tackles for loss and 6 passes defensed.

This reported deal places Vea into the highest 5 of highest-paid defensive tackles, in keeping with Spotrac. Whereas the deal is reportedly value over $73 million, that quantity over 4 years has an AAV of $18.25 million, which ranks fourth within the NFL forward of Jonathan Allen of the Washington Soccer Workforce, and behind Chris Jones of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.