Buccaneers Tristan Wirfs’ Move to LT ‘Potentially Skyrocketing’ Value

Moving Tristan Wirfs from right tackle to left might not only be the best move for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

David Harrison | Jul 11, 2023

In this story:

When Tristan Wirfs was told he might be moving from right to left tackle by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason he says he got to work immediately on learning how to change sides.

That news made every outsider with concerns about the Buccaneers’ decision feel a bit better, and it really emphasized just how much of a team player Wirfs has been since arriving in the NFL.

But if we’re being honest, there’s a very individualistic reason Wirfs had for enthusiastically jumping into the move - well, $5 million reasons, actually.

“The right tackle and left tackle position markets aren’t super far apart as they used to be,” says Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger as he identifies Wrifs’ eventual extension as the most important offensive tackle contract coming up. “Houston Texans tackle Laremy Tunsil leads the way at $25 million per year with Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson atop the right tackle market, earning just more than $20 million annually. If Wrifs transfers over his 0.9% pressure rate…Tampa will basically send him a blank check.”

Of course, this is great news on one hand. After all, what NFL team wouldn’t want to feel justified in paying their left tackle the richest contract in the position’s history?

But Tampa Bay doesn’t have a lot of financial freedom these days thanks to the loans it took out to win and try to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.

According to Over The Cap, the Bucs are projected to have around $28 million in 2024 salary cap space before re-signing Wirfs who is scheduled to make just north of $18 million on his fifth-year option next season.

With contracts for receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr, and linebacker Lavonte David - among others - expiring with void years left, the Buccaneers will be paying for players they may no longer have or will have to strike new deals to consume or defer those dead monies.

Regardless, in some worlds, it's a good problem to have, as Tampa Bay looks to shift its All-Pro caliber right tackle to the left.

And it’s a great problem for Wirfs to have, as he waits to find out just how much of a market-setting contract he’ll get in the near future.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

Published Jul 11, 2023

DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.