The Buccaneers 'defense will operate under Todd Bowles' complex system, featuring many of the familiar headliners, including Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David and Jamel Dean. However, after the departure of Devin White, Carlton Davis III and Shaquil Barrett, the leadership of the unit will shift in 2024. New faces will step into larger responsibilities and returning veterans will take on vocal roles.
"With our coaches, they always say, 'The great ones adapt,'" stated Vea. "We just see what the coaches have done and the changes they have made and the new guys they brought in. It is exciting to see where it will take us. We will see when the time comes…fun environment and we are all working towards goals."
Multiple defensive players have shared throughout the offseason that the goal for the unit is to be the "best defense" in the NFL come fall. That will start with the production up front in the trenches. Vea, the club's menacing nose tackle, sets the tone. Last season, he posted 5.5 sacks on 607 snaps. He anchored the line and imposed his will at the point of attack. Vea does it all: He can hold the line of scrimmage as a two-gapper with power and possesses the quickness to shed blockers as a penetrating one-gapper to collapse the pocket.
During the offseason, Vea joined former teammate Ndamukong Suh in his own workout regimen. Suh, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, collected 71.5 sacks and never missed a game due to injury, had invited Vea to work out with him since the two were teammates from 2019-21, and Vea accepted the invitation in 2024. He has upped his speed, garnering praise from coaches.
"He's quick," said Bowles. "He looks good. He's in shape, he's flying around. He's a little faster than he was last year – hopefully that continues. We look forward to him having a great training camp."
He forms an interior tandem with second-year player, Calijah Kancey. This time last year, Kancey was nurturing a calf injury and was not able to participate in one-on-ones or any camp-affiliated drill. This offseason, following an impressive rookie campaign, Kancey has taken strides forward with mental enhancement.
"Calijah, he has always had the talent ever since he got here," noted Vea. "I think the biggest step for him is his knowledge of the game…I think the game is slowing down for him."
With his burst off the line and violent hands, Kancey helps solidify the line in Tampa Bay and adds another dimension to Bowles' pressure packages. This season, both Vea and Kancey will vie to form a formidable duo atop the league hierarchy.
