Buccaneers Land Two Pro Bowl Games Selections in the Trenches

In the most important part of the field, the trenches, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two Pro Bowl players in 2024.
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) reacts after a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) reacts after a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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If we're being honest, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hope to have no players in the Pro Bowl Games this year because they'll be busy prepping for a Super Bowl.

However, even if the Buccaneers don't make it to the final game of the season, it's encouraging to know the team has several Pro Bowl-caliber players on the roster, beginning with left tackle Tristan Wirfs and defensive tackle Vita Vea.

We all know the area referred to as 'the trenches' is the most valuable piece of real estate on a football field, and Tampa Bay having two top-shelf competitors in there is a big reason why the team remains competitive throughout all the ups and downs of an NFL season.

READ MORE: Two Buccaneers Tight Ends Listed as Non-Participants in Wednesday Practice

"Vea plays a central role in a Buccaneers defense that has been stout against the run again in 2024, ranking fifth in fewest rushing yards allowed per game (99.9)," the team shared via press release. "If Tampa Bay can hold onto its top five ranking against the run this season, the Buccaneers will have finished as a top-five run defense in 5-of-6 seasons since Vea became a full-time starter in 2019, including twice boasting the NFL’s best (2019-20). Since 2019, Tampa Bay ranks first in rush defense (94.1 rush yards per game), first in fewest yards allowed per rush attempt (4.0), third in fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (68) and second in sacks (279.0)."

About Wirfs, the team also said, "Four Pro Bowl honors are the most by an offensive lineman in franchise history, surpassing Tony Mayberry (three), and tying Jimmie Giles for the third-most selections among all offensive players in team annals, trailing only Mike Alstott (six) and Mike Evans (five). He also joined Alstott as Tampa Bay’s lone offensive players to have earned four or more consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl, and became the first Buccaneers player on either side of the ball to accomplish this feat since Gerald McCoy made six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2012-17."

The Bucs also had several players selected as alternates. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and kicker Chase McLaughlin are first alternates, while linebacker Lavonte David and receiver Mike Evans are also alternates who may step in if others selected cannot or opt out of participating.


Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

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• Former NFL QB Praises Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield After Career-High Marks in 2024

• Falcons Loss is Buccaneers' Gain as Tampa Bay Now Controls Playoff Destiny


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David Harrison
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.