The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are poised to secure the services of their star offensive tackle, Tristan Wirfs, with what could be a record-breaking contract. At just 25 years old, Wirfs is already being hailed as a potential Hall of Famer, and the Buccaneers will likely have to set a new NFL benchmark to keep him on their roster.
According to Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, the Buccaneers are expected to offer Wirfs a 5-year, $140 million contract extension, which includes $70 million in guaranteed money. This deal would make Wirfs the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history.
“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. “The Iowa product started his career on the right side of the Buccaneers offensive line and earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl praise in that spot. Last year, he moved to the left side and made the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster. 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.”
Currently, Wirfs is not participating in the team’s voluntary offseason workouts (OTAs) as contract negotiations continue.
In May, the Buccaneers set a precedent by making safety Antoine Winfield Jr. the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL with a 4-year, $84.1 million contract.
Wirfs: A Once-in-a-Generation Offensive Tackle
Drafted 13th overall by the Buccaneers out of Iowa in the 2020 NFL Draft, Wirfs signed a four-year, $16.2 million contract. The Buccaneers have since picked up his fifth-year option, which will pay him $18.2 million in 2024.
Wirfs quickly made an impact, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020 and helping lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory. He has continued to excel, earning NFL All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2022, and making the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.
Impressively, Wirfs has achieved All-Pro status at both right and left tackle. Despite an ankle injury in 2022 that caused him to miss four games, he has been remarkably durable throughout his career.
The Going Rate for an Elite Offensive Tackle.
The market for top-tier offensive tackles has been set high, as demonstrated by Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell, who agreed to a 4-year, $112 million extension in April 2024, with $84 million guaranteed. This made Sewell the highest-paid offensive tackle in terms of annual salary ($28 million) and guaranteed money.
The largest overall contract for an offensive lineman belongs to San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams, who signed a 6-year, $138 million deal in March 2021. Williams, a four-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler, will have earned approximately $245 million by the end of his contract in 2026.
As negotiations continue, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on X that Wirfs is staying away from OTAs to avoid the risk of injury and to focus on securing a long-term deal. “#Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs did not report to OTAs and doesn’t plan to in the immediate future, per source. The multi-year All-Pro seeks a long-term contract and does not want to risk injury. Sides have not made progress on a new deal.”
The Buccaneers are clearly committed to keeping their star offensive tackle and are prepared to make history with his next contract.
Leave a Reply