Former NFL offensive lineman and current NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger recently made a strong statement about whether the San Francisco 49ers should trade for defensive tackle Vita Vea. 

“Yes, absolutely. If you got a chance to get Vita Vea, who cares about the money? You want Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw to get back to where they were. Put Vita Vea in the middle of that defensive line!”

Look, I personally think you could make the argument that any contending team with an opportunity to upgrade their interior defensive line should try to get Vea. But in the case of the 49ers, it makes too much sense, and Baldinger is spot on.

The contract question

Vea is currently slated to make $18 million in 2026, which ranks him 21st among active NFL interior defensive linemen. Mike Garafolo reported that Vea is looking for a contract in the $30 million per year range, which only four guys will currently hit in 2026. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sits at about $31 million per year, and then three players who just got extended recently in Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, Cowboys’ Quinnen Williams, and Eagles’ Jalen Carter, all making $35 million-plus in 2026.

Can you debate whether Vita Vea is worth a top-5 contract among interior defensive linemen? Sure. That’s fair. I would argue that his numbers of 11.5 sacks and 101 QB pressures in the past two seasons would back it up (PFF). But what you certainly can’t debate is that he would be a massive boost to San Francisco’s defense, and the 49ers can certainly stand to pay him that money.

Just think about the defensive front. You would have Vita Vea, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams (once he returns), Osa Odighizuwa, and then rotationally you’d have Keion White, Alfred Collins, and the rookie Gracen Halton out of Oklahoma. That’s a pretty lethal defensive front for a team that’s already solid, there.

Why the 49ers need to make the trade

Now, you might be thinking the Niners’ defensive front is already solid. And I get it. Vea is an exceptional player who would upgrade it, but does it necessarily need to add this kind of investment?

Yes. Let me explain why.

The obvious reason first: The 49ers had the fewest sacks in the 2025 season with 20. That number needs to get better, plain and simple. San Francisco also finished just outside the top 10 in run defense, ranking 11th in rushing yards allowed, which could stand to get even better this year. A 49ers trade for Vea obviously helps immensely against the run and can make plenty of plays in that department, but also, with how large of a human being he is at 6 ‘4 350lbs, he would demand double teams that allow things to open up for guys like Bosa and Williams off the edge.

Even Odighizuwa and White would benefit when they’re in the game.

Availability and production back up the investment

On top of all that, Vita Vea’s availability recently has been really solid. He played 17 games last year, 16 in 2024, and 15 in 2023. Per Greg Auman on X, who covers the Buccaneers for Fox Sports, Vea posted his highest total snap count in 2025 and his highest percentage of defensive plays at 73.1% on 763 total snaps.

And if you’re wondering, he’s played above 60% of defensive snaps for the past three years, even while getting into his 30s. That kind of durability matters when you’re talking about a contract of this magnitude.

I think this would be an all-in type of move for the San Francisco 49ers. The defense needs a boost up front, the cap space is there, and Vita Vea is the kind of player who elevates everyone around him. Honestly, San Francisco should pull the trigger on it, heck sign him today if you have to.