The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a productive offseason following their third consecutive NFC South Division title in 2023. They made smart moves by signing key free agents, re-signing valuable veterans, and drafting the right players for their needs.
However, questions remain.
According to Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler, the “biggest storyline” for the Buccaneers after OTAs and minicamp is securing a contract extension for two-time NFL All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
“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 on a new deal sooner rather than later.”
Wirfs is set to make around $18.4 million in 2024 after the Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on his 4-year, $16.2 million rookie contract, signed when he was drafted 13th overall in 2020.
### Wirfs Could Set Market for NFL Offensive Tackles
Wirfs aims to become the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history. The San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams currently holds the largest overall contract for an offensive tackle with his 6-year, $138.06 million deal signed in March 2021.
Detroit Lions’ offensive tackle Penei Sewell has the highest annual salary ($28 million) and the most guaranteed money ($85 million) with his 4-year, $112 million contract extension signed in April 2024.
Wirfs played a crucial role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl win following the 2020 season and made consecutive NFL All-Pro Teams in 2021 and 2022 at different positions — right tackle in 2021 and left tackle in 2022. He has been selected for three consecutive Pro Bowls heading into 2024.
In 2023, Wirfs had one of his best seasons, starting all 17 games and playing all 1,100 snaps for the Buccaneers’ offense without a single holding penalty for the first time in his career.
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton projects Wirfs to receive a 5-year, $140 million contract extension with $70 million guaranteed.
“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’ History with Offensive Tackles
Wirfs is the first offensive tackle in franchise history to earn NFL All-Pro honors and just the second to make the Pro Bowl. The first was Donald Penn, an undrafted free agent out of Utah State in 2006, who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2010. Penn was a three-time Pro Bowler in his career, with his first on Tampa Bay and the next two with the Oakland Raiders in 2016 and 2017.
