The “Biggest Storyline” in Buccaneers Aiming for an NFL All-Pro Extension
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won the NFC South Division for the third time in a row in 2023, have accomplished a great deal in the offseason. The right free agents were signed by them. The appropriate veterans were resigned. The players were drafted in the appropriate positions.
However, there are still unanswered questions.
The “biggest storyline” for the Buccaneers following OTAs and minicamp, according to Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report, is still getting a contract deal for offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, a two-time NFL All-Pro.
“While many players often hold out from offseason workouts amidst contract negotiations, Wirfs was in attendance at Buccaneers minicamp this week as he awaits a new deal,” Fowler wrote. “The star left tackle didn’t work out with his teammates or participate in any drills, but his presence at the facility showcased his commitment to the team. Wirfs is a 2021 first-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection only four seasons into his career. He and the Bucs should be motivated to agree a new deal sooner than later.”
Wirfs is scheduled to make approximately $18.4 million in 2024 after the Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on the 4-year, $16.2 million rookie contract he signed after he was drafted at No. 13 overall in 2020.
Wirfs Could Set Market for NFL Offensive Tackles
Wirfs is aiming to become nothing less than the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history.
San Francisco 49ers star Trent Williams has the largest overall contract for an offensive tackle with the 6-year, $138.06 million contract he signed in March 2021.
With a 4-year, $112 million contract extension announced in April 2024, right lineman Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions holds the most guaranteed money total ($85 million) and the highest yearly salary ($28 million).
After helping the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2020, Wirfs was selected to the NFL All-Pro Teams for the next two seasons in 2021 and 2022 at the positions of left tackle and right tackle, respectively. He has appeared in three straight Pro Bowls going into 2024.
In 2023, Wirfs had one of his best seasons. He started all 17 games for the year and played all 1,100 snaps for the Buccaneers’ offense. For the first time in his career, he wasn’t called for a single holding penalty.
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton projects Wirfs to receive a 5-year, $140 million contract extension with $70 million in guaranteed money.
“At 25, Wirfs has a distinguishable accomplishment that separates him from his peers: He’s an All-Pro and Pro Bowler at right and left tackle,” Moton wrote. “… Because of Wirfs’ high-level performances at both tackle spots, he should be in line to top Trent Williams — who’s entering his age-36 term — on the position pay ladder.”
Bucs Don’t Have History of Great Offensive Tackles
Wirfs is the first offensive tackle in franchise history to earn NFL All-Pro honors at offensive tackle and just the second to make the Pro Bowl.
The first was Donald Penn, who made the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State in 2006 and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2010. Penn was a three-time Pro Bowler in his career, with the first on Tampa Bay and the next two with the Oakland Raiders in 2016 and 2017.
