After the Bucs signed All-Pro safety Antwon Winfield Jr. to a big-money, long-term contract, all eyes immediately turned to All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs. The 2020 first-round pick is expected to reset the market with a big new contract, and Tampa Bay general manager Jason Richt said Wirfs would be available this offseason before he plays on his fifth-year option. He said he hopes to complete the contract this season.
Now, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday, Tristan Wirfs intends to report to the AdventHealth Training Center for Bucks-organized team activities (OTAs) until that big new contract is secured. Apparently not. Wirfs did not participate in Tuesday’s practice that was open to the media, but Fowler said the 25-year-old does not intend to report for OTAs for the time being.
#backs Sources say OT Tristan Wirfs has not reported to OTA and has no plans to do so in the future. Multi-year All-Pro players want long-term contracts and don’t want to risk injury. The two teams have not made any progress on a new contract. pic.twitter.com/efdZ7aKhv5
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 21, 2024
Bucks OT Tristan Wirfs – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Of course, it’s important to note that OTAs are completely voluntary, meaning players can come and go as they please. Wirfs wasn’t the only one absent from Tuesday’s practice, Mike Evans and Vita Vea were also absent. Lavonte David attended but did not participate.
Notable actual practice is still a few weeks away, as the Bucks will hold mandatory minicamp from June 11-13. It would be a bigger problem if Wirfs doesn’t participate in minicamp, but Tampa Bay’s front office and coaching staff likely won’t be too concerned even if there’s no progress in contract negotiations. As Fowler reported.
The Bucks know how important Tristan Wirfs is to their long-term plans and have little doubt that a deal will come together at some point. There is no deadline, as Wirfs is already locked in for 2024 with a fifth-year option. So, perhaps the fact that there is no deadline on a contract signing has led to this, as it is a common negotiating tactic used by many players. Because they want long-term security. The talented left tackle doesn’t want to get injured at a voluntary OTA, as it could negatively impact contract negotiations.
Wirfs will make $18.244 million with his fifth-year option in 2024, but it would certainly be nice to have the security of a long-term deal before the contract year begins.
Todd Bowles addresses Tristan Wirfs’ absence from Bucs OTAs
Tristan Wirfs was apparently absent from the practice field at One Back Place on Tuesday morning, after reports of Fowler during Tampa Bay’s practice hit social media.
So, after the team left the field, head coach Todd Bowles was understandably asked if he was aware of the reports that Wirfs would forgo OTAs. And understandably, he didn’t seem concerned about it.
“I know it’s voluntary,” Bowles said. “Me and Tristan had a conversation, a lot of conversations. He’s still training. He’s been here all offseason, so I’m happy with that.”
Todd Bowles was asked after Tuesday’s practice if he was aware of reports that Tristan Wirfs was not scheduled to attend OTAs during contract negotiations. pic.twitter.com/ux9RN3mZY8
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) May 21, 2024
Wirfs has been training at the Bucks’ facility this spring and has been seen at games. Behind the scenes Here’s what first-round pick Graham Burton looked like on Day 1 with the team: The Tampa Bay left tackle also recently became a father for the first time, so skipping voluntary workouts makes even more sense on an individual level even before contract negotiations are factored in.
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo Credit: USA Today
Jason Licht I said it earlier this offseason. Signing Winfield and Wirfs to long-term contracts is a priority for the team, and once Winfield is signed, Wirfs is undoubtedly next.
“I think they’re both probably on the way to having historic careers,” Richt said on NFL Network. “They’ve had great careers already, but I want them to have historic careers and hopefully continue to do so while they’re here in Tampa. That’s a very high priority for us right now, firstly Antoine, then in no particular order, and then Tristan as well, to keep them locked up long term.”
Previously reported by Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds The Bucs and Wirfs were close to a new deal, but a wrench was thrown into their plans when Lions right tackle Penei Sewell signed a four-year, $112 million contract this offseason. Wirfs is expected to surpass that number going forward, so this may have halted his progress. He will reset the tackle market again, And it seems like he wants to do that as soon as possible.
That would allow him and the Bucs to set their sights squarely on the 2024 season and beyond, as the Pro Bowler remains a cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s offensive line for years to come.
