Bucs Gameday

Buccaneers Franchise Tackle in a League of His Own in One Key Category

Tristan Wirfs has quietly been dominating his opponents this season while covering Baker Mayfield's blind side.

Collin Haalboom

Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefsduring the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefsduring the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Tristan Wirfs has been a dominant player at the offensive tackle position from the moment he first arrived in the NFL back in 2020.

Despite switching from the right side to the left side between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Wirfs has continued to establish himself as one of the truly elite tackles in the game today.

READ MORE: No Team Has More at Stake Than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13

Although Wirfs is a very well-rounded player whose presence in the lineup is crucial to all aspects of the Bucs' offense, the area where Wirfs really separates himself from other great players at his position is in pass protection.

This year has been no exception. Not only is Wirfs leading all OTs with an outrageous 92.5 pass-blocking grade according to PFF, but he's also leading the league by a significant margin in one key category — pressure rate.

According to the 33rd Team, only 8 players in the entire league are at or below a 3.0% pressure rate. Of those 8 players, 2-8 are all closely bunched together in between 2.2%-3.0% pressure rates. Above them all, on an island all his own (just like on the field) Tristan Wirfs sits atop the list at an astounding 1.6% pressure rate.

The ranking only considers players with a minimum of 200 pass-blocking snaps. Wirfs has 398 pass-blocking snaps this season, which shows just how consistent the Bucs' franchise left tackle is, maintaining such a low-pressure rate over such a large sample. In comparison, Eagles' All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson has the second-best pressure rate in the league at 2.2%, but he's registered over a hundred fewer pass-blocking snaps this season than Wirfs with a total of 297.

Wirfs is currently recovering from an MCL sprain, and he is questionable to play in the team's crucial divisional matchup vs. the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.

Although the Buccaneers' offensive line played extremely well vs. the New York Giants last week there's no question that the team would be much better off with the best pass blocking tackle in the NFL, Tristan Wirfs, protecting their quarterback's blind side.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Star Receiver Details Brutal Season Ending Injury For First Time

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

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Collin Haalboom
COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.

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