Can Tristan Wirfs Play Left Tackle? It’s Up To Tristan Wirfs.
March 7th, 2023
Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs.
Joe was direct with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht last week at the combine in Indianapolis.
“Can Tristan Wirfs play left tackle?”
Scuttlebutt for the past two weeks (including Ira Kaufman’s report nearly four weeks ago) has incumbent Bucs left tackle and fan favorite Donovan Smith being axed due to his salary. And of course, many Bucs fans — not all — think the solution is simple. Eh, just flip All-Pro right tackle to left tackle. Problem solved.
Slow your roll!
Bucs coach Todd Bowles reminded Joe in a sitdown for “The Ira Kaufman Podcast” flipping Wirfs to left tackle is way oversimplifying what is normally a complex move.
Bowles added that to do that, he would want Wirfs practicing at left tackle from the very first practice of OTAs. It will take a full offseason to rewire his brain, Bowles noted.
As for Licht, he answered Joe’s question that he doesn’t know if Wirfs can play left tackle because he’s never taken a snap at left tackle in the NFL. Licht did add he thinks Wirfs has the tools.
Wirfs is maybe the best right tackle in football. Why screw that up? Well, it seems per Jeremy Fowler of BSPN, Wirfs may have final say whether he gets flipped to left tackle.
In a rumor mill notebook on BSPN, Fowler notes word on the streets of Indianapolis last week was the Bucs plan to discuss with Wirfs moving to left tackle and may just do it if he gives the Bucs the OK.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have discussed the possibility of moving All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs to the left side. Wirfs would have to be comfortable with that, but the early belief is he’ll be open to the possibility.
“This Joe” has been pretty clear about this: If the Bucs part ways with popular Smith, then go out and get a left tackle. You can find a competent one in many ways. (The other Joe has no problem relocating Wirfs.)
Let Joe put it this way: The team has a lot better odds of finding a competent left tackle than they are finding a Hall of Fame right tackle. Don’t fix something not broken!
Even Licht said he doesn’t know if Wirfs can play left tackle. For Joe, that’s all you need to know. Now go draft or trade for a left tackle and let Wirfs own the right side for the next decade.
Just say “no,” Tristan.
March 7th, 2023 at 4:13 am
Nope. As I said in an earlier post, if the value is there, go with an LT in the first or second round if possible. Could be somebody falls into our lap. Guys slide down the draft every year. Keep Wirfs at RT where we already know he excells.
March 7th, 2023 at 4:15 am
I’m with you Joe, I don’t like it.
March 7th, 2023 at 4:54 am
He played both sides in college. He flipped from right to left during games depending on what play they were running.
March 7th, 2023 at 5:13 am
If freaking Josh Wells can do it, Wirfs most certainly can do it.
March 7th, 2023 at 5:36 am
just get a left handed QB, problem solved
March 7th, 2023 at 5:43 am
They forced a rookie right tackle into the starting left guard position, now they’re scared to let an All Pro try to switch sides. Smoke screen much?
March 7th, 2023 at 5:47 am
Remember in the Dave Canales presser, when he said something along the lines of “We’re not gonna do things just because that’s how it was done in the past”? Well, there you go.
March 7th, 2023 at 5:49 am
The Tampa Bay Truth Says:
March 7th, 2023 at 5:36 am
just get a left handed QB, problem solved
^^^^^^^
Hahaha, good one.
March 7th, 2023 at 6:02 am
Lowkey I was kinda thinking a Lefty qb would work pretty well.
March 7th, 2023 at 6:14 am
Leopold Stotch Says:
March 7th, 2023 at 6:02 am
Lowkey I was kinda thinking a Lefty qb would work pretty well.
^^^^^^^^
So you’re trading for a concussed Tua instead of moving the big guy over? Uh, okay.
March 7th, 2023 at 6:31 am
I believe the Bucs will leave him at RT and try both Goedeke and Wells at LT this year as part of a cost savings plan. Only if neither can handle it or due to injuries will Wirfs get moved to LT.
March 7th, 2023 at 6:36 am
LOLOLOL @ TampaBay Truth!
March 7th, 2023 at 6:50 am
Bucs Guy Says:
March 7th, 2023 at 6:31 am
I believe the Bucs will leave him at RT and try both Goedeke and Wells at LT this year as part of a cost savings plan. Only if neither can handle it or due to injuries will Wirfs get moved to LT.
^^^^^^^
Wells messed his knee up late last year. He won’t be back this year. Goedeke was terrible at LG, do you really want to see him and his short arms at LT? I don’t.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:13 am
If he is open to it you absolutely try it and if he happens to be as good as he was on the right side at left tackle awesome.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:17 am
What is the point of even discussing this. Licht and Bowles and Canales will decide, not the armchair GMs here at JBF, writers or commenters.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:18 am
Wells is done. Goedeke played better at RT when given the chance, than he did at guard. He also was a second round pick who needs to play. That’s the real reason they’ll move Wirfs over, they already have a second round RT on their roster, get it? Why have to draft a LT, or pay a FA? This also benefits Wirfs. Left tackles make more money than RT’s, and he’ll be getting a bigger pay day if he makes the switch.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:18 am
Joe Swanson, I know the Iowa site says that he played both left and right tackle during the same games sometimes.
Your statement that he switched depending on the play called, is that true?
Or did he switch after injuries to other guys on the offensive line?
I have never known Kirk Ferentz or any coach to randomly switch players during a game depending on the play call.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:27 am
By the way, the Chiefs just decided to let their LT Orlando Brown go to free agency, aren’t franchise tagging him again this year. Ranked 18th best tackle in the league – not the best, but an upgrade from Smith.
You don’t think that his agent is not on speed dial with Jason Licht?
March 7th, 2023 at 7:38 am
The guy we drafted in 2nd round last year to be a left guard was a left tackle in college. We have our guy already
March 7th, 2023 at 7:38 am
When his rookie deal runs out, Wirfs is a $15-$20 million a year right tackle. Even BAD left tackles make $10-$15 million … How much money can we put into the On-line?
March 7th, 2023 at 7:42 am
It’s really quite simple…..
You look for the best tackle…..either right or left when you pick.
The complicated part is “when you pick”……it depends on your priorities.
Do you pick that tackle in the first round, 2nd or 3rd.
Or do you have that player already.
If you pick a RT….move Wirfs…..Left tackle, he stays.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:43 am
It’s really quite simple…..
You look for the best tackle…..either right or left when you pick.
The complicated part is “when you pick”……it depends on your priorities.
Do you pick that tackle in the first round, 2nd or 3rd.
Or do you have that player already.
If you pick a RT….move Wirfs…..Left tackle, he stays.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:45 am
I am all for moving our most talented lineman to left tackle if he is willing to make the move. It’s worth a try. Great left tackles don’t grow on trees, so I don’t by into the attitude that the Bucs can just go find one. That is probably more true for right tackle, but not generally not for left tackle. Wirfs is so athletic and talented, I would bet he’d make the transition with no problems.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:48 am
Not in favor of moving Tristan Wirfs considering we’ve got other starting positions to fill on the OL and depth to flesh out, BUUUUUT it’s also likely we may move on from Donovan Smith. We’re going to have to pay Wirfs eventually I’m just not too sure how big a difference there’d be between highest paid RT & LT or highest paid tackle in the NFL, period. Easy right now to say “yea sure switch’em” w/o hearing how it’d effect the chemistry on the OL like it did the few games Wirfs has missed as a Buc. Luckily, Josh Wells is a FA and we don’t have to see him get smoked like a pork shoulder relieving Wirfs/Smith anymore.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:50 am
Parrishbucsfan Says:
March 7th, 2023 at 7:38 am
The guy we drafted in 2nd round last year to be a left guard was a left tackle in college. We have our guy already
^^^^^^^^^
Goedeke was a Right Tackle in college.
March 7th, 2023 at 7:54 am
Wirfs bank account says yes
March 7th, 2023 at 8:06 am
You know they are exploring the possibility, and they should, but I’m with Jose here. Don’t break what is already fixed.
March 7th, 2023 at 8:43 am
This is what Wirfs had to say about playing left Tackle –
“When I first started flipping back and forth, I think I was trying to look for a big difference. Honestly, the only thing different is you got your other hand down. It just feels awkward at first but once you settle in it feels fine. . . . It kinda feels like wiping your butt with your other hand. It just feels a little awkward at first, but you get used to it.”
In Week 2 of the 2022 season, Wirfs talked about reserve swing tackle Josh Wells playing both sides of the line.
“Technique-wise, it’s the exact same thing, it’s just flipped,” Wirfs said. “I’ve said multiple times, it’s like wiping your ass with the other hand. Josh says it’s like driving your car on the other side of the road. You can do it, you just got to get used to it. For him (Wells) being our swing guy, throughout the week he flips back and forth. It’s nuts. Technique-wise it’s the exact same, it’s just getting comfortable.”
I will take Wirfs words over anybody else…
March 7th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Wirfs may say yes so he can go for the LT payday when he’s due
March 7th, 2023 at 9:22 am
he wants a LT payday so he needs to go to LT. that simple. you cant invest 20mil on a RT.
March 7th, 2023 at 10:59 am
Wirfs is going to get paid like the best tackles whether he’s on the right or left. Everyone knows he’s that good.
March 7th, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Repeat Pro Bowler. Best RT in the Game.
Not broken. Don’t fix it.
March 7th, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Do not move Wirfs to LT. There are plenty of good LT in this draft. I keep saying to rebuild the offensive line. I’m taking two LT in this draft with the idea of moving one of them to LG. Trade Donavon Smith. Jensen is the center for one more season and Hainsey can take over. Hainsey can also backup at RG due to his experience at RT. Stinnie or Leverett can back up at LG. Wirfs is at RT. I would trade Mason to gain draft capital and cut salary. I”m moving Goedeke to RG due to his experience on the right side.
RT Wirfs and Goedeke
RG Goedeke and Hainsey
C Jensen and Hainsey – Could also draft a center in later rounds.
LG Rookie like Mayfield, Bergeron, Harrison, Nelson
LT Rookie like Jones, Mayfield, Bergeron
March 7th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Marpet was switched from guard to center, then switched back to guard. Did it destroy his career? The answer is no, it didn’t. In fact he became even more valuable because now he wasn’t just an all-pro guard, he was your backup center.
The idea of Wirfs switching sides, is that you’re getting a HOF LT, which has more value than a HOF RT. And, if he turns out for some reason to not be as good, you just flip him back. It’s really that easy, he’s not going to forget how to play RT, just like Marpet didn’t forget how to play guard. Also, you now have a guy that, in an emergency, can play either position.
This is going to be a lost season anyways, so why not give it a shot and see what you have. Getting a new RT is a lot easier than getting a new LT, that’s the entire idea behind making the move. Plus a LT sees the best of the best on nearly every play, where as the RT doesn’t always get those matchups.
March 7th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Nope.
Left tackles are the 2nd hardest position to fill on a football. Thats why they get drafted so high in the lottery. Even more important- thats why they make 2 times or more what any other offensive linemen makes.
Rookies are often started at right tackle, or guard, their first year- then moved to left Tackle once they get a feel for game speed.
If Smith wasn’t an above average Left Tackle- Wirfs would have been moved to Left tackle in his 2nd season
March 7th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Rod Munch
Yup. If a herd of clueless posters- you are a genius.
March 7th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Difficult to switch from RT to LT??
For G*D’s sake- its a game
Here- Ill coach up Wirfs
Instead of sticking yer left finger in the ground
Stick yer right Finger.
Instead of slide right-slide right- slide right
Now slide left- slide left- slide left.
I hope that doesn’t ruin Wirf’s hall of fame career
March 7th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
What if Wirfs plays even better on the left side than the right? Maybe he played on the right side only because Donnie couldn’t be moved. Hmmm
March 7th, 2023 at 6:01 pm
LOL like Wirfs doesn’t want a LT deal?
March 7th, 2023 at 7:23 pm
From Wirf’s perspective it will give him more financially. That will be plenty of incentive for him to switch.