Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has impressed NFL personnel with his performance in his first year at left tackle. Initially, there was some adjustment as he moved from right tackle, where he had been dominant.
However, his athletic ability, agility, and broad skill set allowed him to excel as the season progressed, ultimately reaching a high level of play, according to an NFL evaluator interviewed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
In Fowler’s rankings, which reflect opinions from various NFL insiders, Wirfs was ranked as the fourth-best tackle. The 25-year-old had previously played right tackle for three seasons while Donovan Smith held the left tackle position. With Smith’s release before the 2023 season, Wirfs was moved to left tackle, where he continued to excel, making his third consecutive Pro Bowl and earning high grades from Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Despite the position switch, Wirfs maintained top-tier performance in pass protection, as noted by PFF’s Austin Scott. He earned a second-ranked pass-blocking grade of 86.1, allowing only 24 QB pressures over 777 pass-blocking snaps, showcasing his consistency and adaptability.
Journalist JP Acosta highlighted the remarkable nature of Wirfs’ transition from right to left tackle, emphasizing his immediate impact as one of the top three left tackles in the game. This level of success not only enhances Wirfs’ reputation but also increases his value as he approaches free agency in 2025.
As Wirfs nears the end of his contract, his ability to perform at an elite level on either side of the line gives him significant leverage in upcoming negotiations. With the recent contract of Penei Sewell setting a new benchmark for linemen at $28 million, Wirfs has a strong case to either match or exceed that figure, ensuring a lucrative future in the NFL.
