As their training camp continues, attention for the Buccaneers continues to be paid to the status of extension talks with left tackle Tristan Wirfs. No deal is imminent, and the All-Pro’s training camp participation will be affected until an agreement is reached. 
Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Monday that Wirfs is not taking part in team drills without an extension in hand (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). Team and player are still negotiating “in good faith,” though, as Bowles notes. Wirfs added he and Bowles discussed his level of training camp involvement prior to a deal being struck, as detailed by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.
Encouragingly, Wirfs also said progress has been made on the negotiating front, a sign that an agreement could be in place relatively soon. General manager Jason Licht‘s most recent comments on the matter similarly expressed optimism a deal will be signed in short order. Tampa Bay has taken care of a number of important pieces of business this offseason, but Wirfs remains as a key extension priority.
The Iowa product is due $18.24MM in 2024 as a result of the team’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. A long-term deal will, of course, check in at a much higher rate. Licht acknowledged Wirfs’ candidacy to become the league’s highest-paid left tackle (or perhaps the top earner at either tackle spot), meaning a deal averaging $26MM or $28MM – perhaps more – should be expected. Licht made similar comments about safety Antoine Winfield Jr. before he signed an extension moving him to the top of that position’s market.
Wirfs established himself as one of the league’s top right tackles to begin his career. The release of left tackle Donovan Smith last offseason led to Wirfs moving to the blindside, however. That transition went well, and it resulted in the third Pro Bowl nod of his four-year career. As a foundational member of the Bucs’ offense, a long-term accord should await him in the near future.
Tampa Bay is currently projected to have nearly $26MM in 2025 cap space, flexibility which should allow for a Wirfs extension to be worked out. Based on the stance of team and player, he should be back to full training camp participation relatively soon.
Highest paid easily. The years maybe the thing since he will want to maximize another payday. Wires is worth it as he played both Ts at high level.
Wirfs is one of those players that you don’t let get away. Of all the superstars that Tampa brought in to help Brady in his stint there, I’d say that he owed the homegrown Wirfs the most-which is saying a lot, with his trusted Gronk connection on that list.