Buccaneers

• Buccaneers GM Jason Licht was asked when he would expect DT Vita Vea to start participating in practice or facing fines if he doesn’t, and Licht said Vea is dealing with a minor back injury that they don’t want to further escalate. (Greg Auman)
• Licht doesn’t have a timetable for Vea, and they don’t want to talk in hypotheticals. (Auman)
• Licht continued on Vea: “Vita’s a great player. We all know Vita. I think one of the better d-linemen in franchise history and a very important piece of this.” (Auman)
• He was asked if he expects Vea to play this year: “That’s what the hope is, and that’s what we’re trying to resolve right now.” (Auman)
• Regarding QB Baker Mayfield, Licht said using the franchise tag in 2027 is an option if needed but it’s not something they want or plan to do. He made it clear their goal is still a long-term extension. (Auman)
• Licht talked about the challenge of keeping the team’s core intact: “It’s a puzzle. It’s challenging. Not every situation is going to work out the way you want it to. It can be frustrating for both the player and for the team. That’s just the way it goes. It’s just business.” (Auman)
• He also discussed how candid Mayfield was after not getting a deal by Mayfield’s self-imposed training camp deadline: “Baker, as we all know here, is a very fiery competitor who’s not afraid to speak his mind. I’m sure he’s disappointed, frustrated; we were too. We’re in a good place. He’s focused on having the best year of his career.” (Auman)
• Licht was asked if he sees a scenario where Vea plays with the Buccaneers past this year with the stalled contract talks: “That’s the hope.” (Auman)
• On defense, Licht thinks OLB David Walker has been “on an even plane” with first-round OLB Rueben Bain Jr. (Auman)

Falcons

• The Falcons signed RB Bijan Robinson to a contract extension with a new-money average of $22.25 million per year, including a $15 million signing bonus, a fully guaranteed $2.559 million 2026 roster bonus, fully guaranteed compensation through the 2028 season, and $37.567 million fully guaranteed at signing.
• Robinson’s guarantees increase to $46 million by March 2028, while $13.5 million of his 2029 base salary is guaranteed for injury at signing, with $8.5 million vesting in March 2028 and the remaining $5 million vesting in March 2029.
• The contract also includes annual workout and roster bonuses, up to $4.125 million in escalators for both 2029 and 2030 tied primarily to receiving production, team postseason success, and NFL MVP honors, giving Robinson a path to a maximum value of $25 million per year. (Pro Football Talk)
• Robinson held in at training camp for a new contract before finalizing a three-year, $66.75 million extension. Robinson said he had conversations with Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who is also holding in for a new deal: “We talk a lot. We’re in the same conversation. The Bijan-Gibbs debate is actually cool to see. It actually helps us both out. We are always trying to compete against each other.” (Josh Kendall)

Panthers

Panthers CBs Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson attended their first full day of practice on Wednesday of last week. Carolina HC Dave Canales was glad to have their cornerbacks available, mentioning that it makes things more difficult for their offense. 

“It was great to have Mike and Jaycee back out there for the full practice. It makes things harder out there on the perimeter, makes you have to question whether you want to target that receiver out there. That’s what we’re used to,” Canales said, via Joseph Person of The Athletic. “And with the pressure unit that we have, the different packages we have, to be able to have those guys sitting out there staring at the quarterback, I can tell you from personal experience it’s not comfortable.”

Jackson admitted that he made too many mistakes during 11-on-11 drills. 

“I dropped a pick, had a flag and gave up a pass. I don’t do that,” Jackson said. “I’ve just gotta come in here and lock more in because that don’t happen.”

As for Horn getting more time in the nickel role, the cornerback pointed out that DC Ejiro Evero had a lot of success with the Rams when they lined up Jalen Ramsey in the spot. 

“They did a similar thing with Jalen Ramsey in this scheme when he was in L.A. So just seeing the plays he made at the nickel position and moving around had kinda made me more open to it,” Horn said. “I’m starting to get a good feel for it. It’s pretty fun playing in there instead of just sitting in the boundary all game.”

Saints

• Saints RB Kendre Miller (back) and DT Christen Miller (toe) were limited in practice, with Moore noting he isn’t concerned about the significance of the injuries. (Triplett)