Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the team. He was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa. Wirfs has already won a Super Bowl with the team and is looking to stay with Tampa Bay for the long haul.
According to sources who talked to NFL Reporter Jordan Schultz, the Buccaneers and the All-Pro tackle remain “very far apart” on a long-term contract extension. General manager Brandon Licht wants to make him the highest-paid tackle in the league.
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker just received a new contract extension on Monday. Wirfs has been around the team during training camp. He said to the media on Monday:
“There’s no bad blood. I’ve gotta be out here with the guys. I’ve gotta do something. I’ve gotta be out here. It’s not in my DNA.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tristan Wirfs Wants a New Deal To Protect Himself In Case of Injury
One of the reasons why Wirfs is limiting himself during training camp before he signs a new contract is because he was on the field two years ago when center Ryan Jensen suffered a career-ending knee injury in training camp. Tristan Wirfs is limiting himself to non-contact work.
Wirfs last season played left tackle after playing right tackle throughout his NFL career. Former Buccaneers center A.Q, Shipley told the media about Wirfs by saying:
“He should’ve been paid the first day he could. Great kid. Great player. He’s 6-6, 340 pounds and can run better than most linebackers. He’s freakishly gifted, and he does everything right – he’s not going to get the bag and then shut it down. That’s a guy that deserves to be rewarded.”
Tristan Wirfs is only 25 years old. He means more to Tampa Bay, Florida than just playing in a Buccaneers uniform. Shipley also added about him:
“He loves the strength coaches down there, loves being in the building, loves Tampa, loves doing stuff in the community. He’s going to country concerts and jumping on stage with Luke Combs or whoever it is. He’s going to Lightning games. He’s always out there. He’s in and out of that building all year long. He’s not the guy that you see during the season and then he disappears.”
If Wirfs has to go back to right tackle at some point, he probably would do it. He will be the starting left tackle this season for Tampa Bay. His backup will be Mike Greene. The projected starting right tackle this season will be Luke Goedeke.
