Tristan Wirfs To Miss A Couple Of Weeks With MCL Sprain
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain after undergoing an MRI exam and is expected to miss a couple of weeks, according to a source. Although it's bad news that Wirfs will have to miss time, it's a sign of relief for the Bucs that the injury wasn't worse. The 25-year-old was injured in the 23-20 loss to the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Week 10. With Wirfs now out for a couple of weeks, the expectation is that Justin Skule become a starter for a Tampa defense that continues to be hurt by injuries. It's more bad news for the blind-side protection for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who continues to make the most of what has become a very thin receiving corps with both Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) injured.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe that left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) suffered an MCL sprain during Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Wirfs had only missed three snaps over the first nine weeks of the season, but it now sounds like he's bracing for an extended absence. The good news is that MCL sprains typically aren't season-ending, and depending on the severity, it's possible that he actually avoids an injured reserve stint. Nevertheless, losing Wirfs for any period of time is far from ideal for Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and the rest of Tampa Bay's offense. With that said, Tampa Bay should have confidence in its backup left tackle, Justin Skule, temporarily taking over on the end of the offensive line.
Tristan Wirfs Ruled Out For Remainder Of Game Versus 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the game against the San Francisco 49ers. The fifth-year All-Pro has been one the most consistently healthy linemen on the team and an important piece to the pass protection. With Wirfs out against one of the better defensive units, it could mean even more trouble for Baker Mayfield with a thin receiver corps. Justin Skule is the next man up on the depth chart.
Tristan Wirfs Reaches $140 Million Extension With Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $88 million guaranteed to remain with the organization long-term. The former No. 13 overall pick out of Iowa was the team's first NFL Draft selection after adding quarterback Tom Brady ahead of the 2020 campaign, and he proved to be a significant factor in the run to Super Bowl LV. Overall, the 25-year-old has earned three Pro Bowl nods and has been named to two All-Pro teams. He will now become the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL based on total contract value.
Buccaneers, Tristan Wirfs "Very Far Apart" On Contract Extension
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs remain "very far apart" on a long-term contract extension, according to sources. One source described the extension talks as "miles apart." The 25-year-old Wirfs is in the final year of his contract in 2024. Despite the two sides being nowhere close to an extension, Wirfs attended the first day of training camp practice last Wednesday after skipping OTAs earlier in the offseason. Wirfs was the team's first-round pick back in 2020 out of Iowa and will be set to play this year on his fifth-year option (worth ($18.2 million) if the two sides can't figure out an extension. He's been a stabilizing presence for the Buccaneers' offensive line, making the Pro Bowl in each of the past three seasons.
Tristan Wirfs Looking To Become Highest-Paid Offensive Lineman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs is entering the option year of his rookie deal on an $18.2 million salary in 2024. Wirfs is undoubtedly looking for a contract that will make him one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in football with an average yearly salary of $25 million-plus after moving to left tackle last year. He didn't participate in organized team activities or team drills during minicamp this offseason as a result. The Buccaneers could wait to try to sign him until after the season, as they did with some of their free agents this year. The 25-year-old could hold out in training camp this summer if he doesn't have a long-term deal by then. Wirfs was the 13th overall pick in 2020 out of Iowa and has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. He has started all 63 games that he's appeared in over his first four years in the league.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs reported to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but he is not participating in practice as he seeks a long-term extension with the organization. Wirfs' fifth-year option was picked up this offseason, but the three-time Pro Bowler is looking to get paid. After spending the first three seasons of his career at right tackle, the Iowa product moved to the left side in 2023. Overall, he has played and started in 63 games and has not registered lower than an 81.8 PFF grade in a single season. Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who was drafted one year later, signed a four-year $112 million contract this offseason. Wirfs could sign for a similar price point before the offseason wraps up.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs said that his move from right to left tackle this spring became a source of such debilitating anxiety that he started seeing team sports psychologist Joe Carella. "It seems like so minuscule, like oh, you're just flipping sides, but I was like having breakdowns about it," Wirfs said. "I'm like, 'I can't sit here with these thoughts anymore, I'm just kind of setting myself up for failure.'" He had started 46 games for Tampa at right tackle since his rookie season in 2020, and Wirfs only started four games at left tackle in college at Iowa. On top of it, the Bucs were undergoing a scheme change on offense this spring and are without seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady. The 24-year-old has been a Pro Bowler each of the last two years at right tackle.
The Buccaneers will exercise the fifth-year option on offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. The 24-year-old was taken with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he's been a formidable presence for Tampa, starting 46 games while earning a trip to the Pro Bowl twice in his first three seasons. Wirfs will make a base salary of $2.82 million in 2023 and $18.244 million in 2024. However, the Bucs will surely try to work out a new deal in the near future.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have discussed the possibility of moving All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs to the left side in 2023. He would have to be comfortable with the move, but the early belief is that he's open to the possibility. It makes even more sense after the team just released left tackle Donovan Smith for salary cap purposes on Tuesday. Wirfs has made the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons, but there's no guarantee he'd be as effective on Tampa's O-line while serving as the starting left tackle. The 24-year-old missed three games in 2022 with an ankle injury but didn't miss a single game in the first two seasons of his career.
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