Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs lands on elite list for second straight season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a player that has the respect piling in, which could end up costing the Buccaneers big time. Tristan Wirfs is one of the best offensive linemen in the league. I think you could honestly make the case for the best. He has an innate ability to stand his ground and […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a player that has the respect piling in, which could end up costing the Buccaneers big time.
Tristan Wirfs is one of the best offensive linemen in the league. I think you could honestly make the case for the best. He has an innate ability to stand his ground and counter any move defenders have. And it doesn't hurt that he can run block too. The Buccaneers are set on the right side for some time, but that presents big problems for Tampa Bay.
He has been recognized for being one of the best at his position at such a young age. At 24 years old going into his fourth season, he is one of the best young players in the league and even cracked the Top 25 under 25 List that one NFL analyst drew up.
OT TRISTAN WIRFS, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Wirfs’ overall grade took somewhat of a step back in 2022, dropping from 84.3 the previous season to 83.1 last year, but his pass-blocking grade jumped to a near-elite 89.1. He allowed just six total pressures on 696 pass-blocking snaps. His consistently strong play bodes well for his transition from right tackle to left tackle this upcoming season. -Trevor Sikkema, PFF
Wirfs found himself at No. 3 on this list and No. 4 on last year's list. He has been that good for the past two years, and now his name is just below guys like Micah Parsons and Justin Jefferson. But, like we said, all of this respect is still going to end up costing the Buccaneers, big time.
After the 2024 season, Wirfs will be a free agent. If he was to hit free agency, his market value would be crazy. He's young, he's one of the best, and he's done it in the biggest game imaginable. Wirfs is currently a right tackle, but if he plays well at left tackle like he will likely have to in 2023, he will be owed even more money.
Left tackles are valued more in the league because their job is a little bit harder, and they protect the quarterbacks' blind side, well, most of the quarterbacks. If he plays well at left tackle, he could be projected to make around $25 million a year as a left tackle. Giving him more and more respect isn't helping the Buccaneers' big problem they could have.
But hey, having good players is a good problem.
