The Chicago Bears are gearing up to host the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in the team’s preseason opener and in the meantime, general manager Ryan Poles is leaving no stone left unturned when it comes to finding potential ways to upgrade this roster.

That includes calling up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to gauge the team’s interest in trading disgruntled defensive tackle Vita Vea. And the Bears aren’t the only teams keeping an eye on the former two-time Pro Bowler.

“My understanding is there has been communication between the sides. A deal is not imminent. Teams have called the Buccaneers to see if they are interested in trading him,” NFL insider Mike Garafolo said on the NFL Gameday broadcast. “Amongst them, I’m told, is the Bills, the Bears, the 49ers, and there are a few others as well. The Buccaneers continue to say internally they are not trading Vita Vea.”

From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: Teams have checked on Vita Vea’s availability (the #Bills, #Bears and #49ers among them) but the #Buccaneers remain steadfast they’re not trading him and have kept the lines of communication open on a potential new deal. pic.twitter.com/V4tdIQt2Xy

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 14, 2026

Chicago Bears are reportedly checking in on the availability of Vita Vea

Let’s preface by saying that there’s absolutely no harm in doing a little due diligence. Just because the Bears called the Buccaneers about Vea’s availability doesn’t mean a deal is imminent between the two sides. It’s also worth noting that Garafolo specifically mentioned three teams, with all three being potential contenders in 2026. That was done for a reason to create even more drama around this situation.

For background on the situation, Vea is unhappy with his current contract in Tampa Bay and wants to continue being among the top-paid players at his position. Vea is also 31-years-old and starting to hit the downswing of his career. Yet, clearly teams are still interested in paying up to acquire him, saying the Buccaneers actually decide to trade him, and it seems the Bears are one of those teams.

Again, there’s no harm in calling to see if the Buccaneers will entertain such a move and the potential cost it would take to acquire him. What’s even more interesting about the Bears’ interest is the fact that Poles is inquiring about an interior addition instead of a potential edge rusher ahead of the 2026 season.

Ryan Poles could be more worried about the interior of the Bears’ defensive line heading into 2026

All offseason long, fans have been begging the Bears to acquire a new impact edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat. So far, not a single addition has been made to the room. The Bears already have a lot invested in Dayo Odeyingbo that they need to see through and believe Austin Booker is about to break out in a big way this upcoming season.

“I think really the development of all those guys is going to be really important,” Poles said. “Sweat, I’d like to see him continue to improve and take what he did last year and add to that.”

As for the interior of the defensive line, the Bears have added a ton of bodies to the room including Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and two rookies in Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving behind Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. What makes this potential interest in Vea even more confusing and hearing about it now is that van den Berg and Loving have really been impressing the last few days.

We see these kind of reports happen all the time with top names on the trade block. I wouldn’t read too much into this until a move actually goes down and I think it’s critical for the Bears to see what they have first over the next few weeks in the preseason before thinking about bringing in another high-priced name.

It might not be want fans want to hear, but I do at least give Poles some credit for checking in with the Buccaneers just in case it’s a move Chicago could pull off. Personally, the only way I could see this happening is if Dexter were somehow packaged in the deal, but I’m honestly not holding my breath on this coming to fruition.