Tristan Wirfs’ New BFF
June 10th, 2023
Baker Mayfield at last night’s Rays game.
Forget what Baker Mayfield has done in underwear football. His smartest move came a few weeks ago.
It seems like Mayfield is getting the hang of being a Tampa Bay resident. He’s been seen at Rays games and he’s building friendships in the Bucs’ locker room.
And it seems one of his best bros is none other than the guy who is expected to keep Mayfield on his feet. That would be left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Last week after underwear football practice, Wirfs talked about the developing friendship between the Bucs’ quarterback and the former All-Pro right tackle.
“It came pretty organically,” Wirfs said. “I think he asked me to go out to eat one day and I said, ‘Sounds good. You’re speaking my language.’
“We’ve hung out a little bit. I got to meet his wife. We all went out to dinner. We’ve gone out to dinner I think every week.”
This continued last night when Mayfield and Wirfs (and Ko Kieft, too) were spotted together at the Fruitdome watching the best team in baseball, the Rays, thrash the Rangers.
“I love Baker,” Wirfs said. “It’s been a short time. I know we are going to get along fantastic. Our relationship has been good so far. I’m really excited.”
This is a savvy move by Mayfield. If he gets Wirfs on the same page, you watch, the rest of the offensive line will fall into place. The younger offensive linemen already look up to Wirfs and heed his words.
Baker Mayfield and Tristan Wirfs are spending a lot of time with each other. Tonight they’re here at the #Rays game together. Trask doesn’t have a shot.
— Aaron Jacobson (@JacobsonOnAir) June 10, 2023
June 10th, 2023 at 8:05 am
Good move and yes expect others to follow. But,….only hope it translates into Wins.
June 10th, 2023 at 8:09 am
Sounds like a snake oil salesman. Steaks don’t make up for being short and sporting a 24.5 QBR. 😛
June 10th, 2023 at 8:15 am
Much better than not bonding…..for sure.
June 10th, 2023 at 8:20 am
I want to see a group picture of Ko Kieft, Cody Mauck and Ryan Jensen.
June 10th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Or, Baker could just be a good, normal dude who befriends colleagues easily because he’s a good, normal dude.
Why does this have to be viewed as some kind of “calculating” move?
That’s simply shallow thinking.
June 10th, 2023 at 8:27 am
Hey look, it’s Mark Sanchez & Tristan Wirfs
June 10th, 2023 at 8:39 am
The grumpy old men are out commenting this morning..
June 10th, 2023 at 8:41 am
Todd, I couldn’t agree with you more. Every football player you hear talk about their career say the best thing about it was/is the relationship & friendships. He’s been given an opportunity here to make this his new home. Most of our player here are great guys, who wouldn’t want to be friends with them?
If you are rooting against Baker or Trask from being great here, then seriously, go be a fan of some other team. These guys are putting in all the work. I ABSOLUTELY want my new potential QB to build strong relationships with our teammates…certainly the O-line but everyone. AND he’s showing up to support our historic Rays team too! Yeah…what a dick.
June 10th, 2023 at 8:49 am
Wirfs is one large human!
June 10th, 2023 at 8:50 am
Quality of play or lack thereof will determine QB1 and the rest is window dressing.
June 10th, 2023 at 8:50 am
Dooley Says: “Hey look, it’s Mark Sanchez & Tristan Wirfs.”
LOL. Sanchez was another USC first-round bust. 5 teams in 10 years.
It’s interesting that many here knock Trask becuse UF has never produced a great NFL quarterback, and yet those same people go gaga over under-sized Caleb Williams of USC, a program notorious for quarterback busts. Indeed, an article on SBNation notes that although USC has won multiple football national championships and conference titles, “no USC quarterback has ever played in a Super Bowl.” Not even played! At least Rex Grossman from UF took the Bears to the Super Bowl. 😛
June 10th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Who’s that guy in the middle?
June 10th, 2023 at 9:30 am
Todd, because that’s what they would do.
June 10th, 2023 at 10:11 am
shankasorous,
Your obvious homerism makes you sound idiotic. Your touting UF over USC is just plain dumb. “We might suck but we don’t suck as much as …” loser logic.
BTW, the Bears went to the Super Bowl DESPITE Rex Grossman. Not because of.
Carson Palmer
Matt Leinart
Mark Sanchez
Matt Cassell
Rodney Peete
Pat Haden
Paul McDonald…
All better than Rex Grossman.
Because Trask is from UF, does that mean he’ll fail? Nope. How many Miami of Ohio QBs made it before Roethlisberger? I don’t recall any great QBs from Texas Tech before Mahomes.
Truthfully, I’m rooting for Trask. I hope he becomes the best QB in the NFL. He’s got two more years on his rookie deal. Him being great would be ideal. The second QB I’m rooting hardest for is Baker Mayfield. Anybody that puts on that uniform gets my support on game day.
June 10th, 2023 at 10:14 am
Hopefully, he’s making friends with his receivers as well.
June 10th, 2023 at 10:53 am
I think Baker seems like a very good dude TBH. I never really followed him in the past but I am happy we have him and it appears that he is happy to have us, so I personally don’t give a crap about what the doubters, pessimists and people with no original thoughts and who just regurgitate whatever they hear think about Mayfield. Of course it needs to translate to the football field and wins but the genuine nature of this team bonding is a very positive sign.
June 10th, 2023 at 10:54 am
@Brandon
Thanks for confirming no USC quarterback has ever played in a Super Bowl and Rex Grossman did. Appreciate it.
June 10th, 2023 at 11:07 am
Didn’t Tom have to be publicly called out before Wirfs got his number?
June 10th, 2023 at 11:11 am
And Brandon, Sanchez was NOT better than Grossman, equal I will give you, but that dude was bad, JETS D did all the heavy lifting, much like a Dillfer in Baltimore Situation.
June 10th, 2023 at 11:37 am
Brandon Says: “All better than Rex Grossman”
Not so. Grossman was right in the middle of that pack. See RTGs below.
Career Passer RTGs:
Mark Sanchez 73.2
Rex Grossman 71.4
Matt Leinart 70.2
Pat Haden 69.6
June 10th, 2023 at 11:38 am
In a land where football tales unfold, let me weave a new story,
Of heroic comebacks and Bucs’ glory.
Baker Mayfield, once the star, took the field that day,
But soon revealed his actor’s art, his true colors on display.
Against the Vikings, the first clash, Mayfield stood with pride,
But the Bucs soon saw through the act, his flaws they couldn’t hide.
Then Kyle Trask, the true leader, emerged with courage bright,
A hero’s heart within his chest, ready to take flight.
With a heroic comeback, Trask seized control, that very first game,
His arm aflame, his spirit ablaze, igniting Bucs’ fame.
Under the guidance of Todd Bowles, a mastermind so wise,
Trask ignited the team’s spirit, a fire in their eyes.
Dave Canales, the coordinator, weaved a tapestry of plays,
Unleashing Trask’s potential, in captivating ways.
But the tale does not end there, for destiny had more to unveil,
In the Super Bowl, Las Vegas gleamed, where legends would prevail.
Trask, the shining star, led a historic comeback with might,
His arm unleashed a flurry, turning darkness into light.
Down they were, in the final hour, the Bucs faced a daunting test,
But Trask, unyielding, stood his ground, his team he would not let rest.
With each pass, he defied the odds, his determination strong,
And in the face of adversity, he proved he truly belonged.
In the heart of Vegas, amidst the glitz and grandeur, the Bucs rose high,
Trask’s leadership, an inspiration, reaching for the sky.
A victory for the ages, etching their names in history’s scroll,
As the Bucs, led by Trask, claimed the Super Bowl’s coveted goal.
So raise your voices, let the chorus resound, in honor of their might,
From Mayfield’s acting to Trask’s triumph, this tale has taken flight.
From the first game against the Vikings to the Super Bowl’s epic fight,
Kyle Trask’s journey, a story of perseverance and undying light.
June 10th, 2023 at 11:38 am
I would like to see Wirfs jump out of the Ray’s tank.
June 10th, 2023 at 11:40 am
I hope Trask wins the job because he is available for very cheap next year. But overall, it is almost always easy for the coach to identify the better player.
So, if Baker is starting, he is likely the better dude.
June 10th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Trask has a solitary tear going down his face after seeing this picture
June 10th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Brandon
I would have been embarrassed to post that list of scrubs from USC. And when was the last time you won a ship? When John McKay was coaching? The only reason those scrub QBs you listed became known is that they played in a weak conference.
June 10th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Are we now counting losing Super Bowls as something special for average or worse quarterbacks?
I will be sure to give Rex Grossman credit for all those return TDs by the Defense and by Devin Hester on Special Teams. It was his gator chomp that made those guys do it.
June 10th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Carson Palmer better so far than any gator QB.
So, although I agree with those who gave Brandon a hard time about all those other USC quarterbacks, ultimately USC wins 1 to 0.
June 10th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Steve Spurrier – Played for the San Francisco 49ers (1967-1975) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976).
John Reaves – Played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1972-1974), Cincinnati Bengals (1975-1978), Minnesota Vikings (1979), Houston Oilers (1979-1980), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1981).
Wayne Peace – Played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-1988).
Kerwin Bell – Played for the Miami Dolphins (1988) and Indianapolis Colts (1989-1990).
Shane Matthews – Played for the Chicago Bears (1993-1996), Carolina Panthers (1997-1998), Washington Redskins (1999), Buffalo Bills (2000), Cincinnati Bengals (2001), and Miami Dolphins (2002).
Danny Wuerffel – Played for the New Orleans Saints (1997-1999), Green Bay Packers (2000), Chicago Bears (2001), and Washington Redskins (2002-2003).
Rex Grossman – Played for the Chicago Bears (2003-2008), Houston Texans (2009), and Washington Redskins (2010-2013).
Tim Tebow – Played for the Denver Broncos (2010-2011), New York Jets (2012), New England Patriots (2013), and Philadelphia Eagles (2015).
Jeff Driskel – Played for the San Francisco 49ers (2016), Cincinnati Bengals (2018-2019), and Denver Broncos (2020).
Kyle Trask – Currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021-present).
June 10th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
They went to a baseball game? Well that settles things. QB competition over.
June 10th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Geno nice FSU hat
June 10th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Some people, are so gullible.
June 10th, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Is that Ko Kieft in the middle?
June 10th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
That pretty much tells you who will be QB1
June 10th, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Anyone think Stafford will make it a full season in LA?
Mayfield came to Tampa because he thought it would be easier to beat out Trask than it would be to beat out a 35 year old guy who fell off the cliff and had a spinal contusion that threatened his career, despite Baker’s allegedly fantastic relationship he had with McVey and having a healthy Kupp to throw to. Not to mention in McVey’s offense he had a paltry 24.5 rating .
So Trask should let motivate him. Mayfield thought he was easy pickings. He and his agent knew Tampa has some desperate folks that could be leveraged for the starting role – so much so they’d abandon developing a QB during a cap reset year.
June 10th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Leave it to this website to think Logan Mankins and his BBQ plans were overrated but somehow this is gonna be a key factor.
June 10th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Rex Grossman took the Bears to the Super Bowl!! Hahahaha. More like the Bears defense carried him on their backs to the Super Bowl. At least Trent Dilfer won the Super Bowl in a similar capacity.
June 10th, 2023 at 1:13 pm
And now it goes by what school you played for to determine if a quarterback will be good in the NFL. Lol 🤣🤣 Now Let me ask you this Geno? Name one quarterback that came from Texas Tech that’s not name Patrick Mahomes? Name a quarterback that’s not name Payton Manning that came from Tennessee? Name a quarterback that came from LSU other than Joe Burrow ? Name a quarterback other than Big Ben that came from Miami Ohio? Name me quarterback that came from Southern Mississippi other than Bret Farve? And I can keep going bro it doesn’t matter what school you come from the only thing that matters is what team you are drafted to and the coaching staff. Unfortunately Kyle Trask, Jamies Winston, Josh Freeman,Trent Dilfer, Shaun King, Venny Trestaverdey I know I spell his name wrong Doug Williams all was drafted by the same team. The bucs failed every last one of those quarterbacks so I don’t think it’s quarterbacks it sounds like a organization problem . We are worst than the Browns and Jets when it comes to developing quarterbacks because at least they can go back in there history and pull up at least one guy we can’t even do that so that’s why we are the worst at developing quarterbacks than any other team in the history of the NFL . And that’s a fact!!!
June 10th, 2023 at 1:17 pm
No doubt about it. With Bowles at the Helm the Bucs are Super Bowl Bound! What could go wrong. Soon the predictions will be undefeated and break the Dolphins record.
June 10th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
@ Oneilbuc
Nice post. I agree.
Another good example is Ohio State… Constantly in the top 5 in NCAA – how many successful NFL QBs have they had?
June 10th, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Joe must be so jealous. He thought Baker was his BFF.
June 10th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
The school bias thing is almost bad as the ones that cry about not being able to develop a quarterback not every player can be developed it doesn’t click for some that’s why it’s so hard to get a franchise quarterback it’s a crap shoot with many variables that have to piece together to work.
June 10th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
@Oneill
You forgot Chris Simms, who’s probably the closest Bucs QB draftee to compare Trask to in terms of sitting behind veterans before getting an opportunity. Iirc Sims waited until year 2 sitting behind the likes Griese, Shaun King, & Luke McCown before gettin a shot to start. Trask had to wait a little longer than Sims, but I think with how the game has changed and the overall talent level we’ve got Trask IF he wins the competition has a better chance at success.
Agreed with alot of what you said, but I’d add our inability to develop QBs is also partly due to the fact that we’ve been on the coaching carousel pretty much all of this teams existence, so the continuity/longevity has not been there and we’ve watched several different HCs try to be the guy to develop a QB. Dungy couldn’t do it, Jon Gruden definitely couldn’t do it, Schiano failed along with Lovie Smith & Dirk Koetter. It’s been miserable to watch for sure, but I do think the Trask experience has come with a much different approach. Whether or not it works out remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t want the team to stop swinging just because they haven’t done it yet.
Iirc Chris Simms had to sit behind Major Applewhite(can’t forget a name like that) at Texas for his first 2/3 seasons before being called on to start as well, but I vaguely remember the then longhorns running a 2-QB system between Sims & Applewhite.
June 10th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Just Leave Trask Alone Says:
June 10th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Geno nice FSU hat
I went to USF and my only child went to UF.
So, I guess your observation skills for me are as strong as they are for the Bucs.
June 10th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Dooley. I agree with what you are saying bro but the bucs organization seems like they don’t look for the coach that can get job done they looks for the most popular coaches that the fans know. And seems like all they do is sale us names at the coaches position. How did we miss out on the eagles head coach or the Bengals head coach? I got caught up in the whole quarterback thing when it comes to the bucs because I’m so tired of the bucs passing up on good defensive player or good offensive lineman just to get a quarterback and in 2 years the fan base turns on them . I rather go back to the old bucs way building a great defense again and just plug in a quarterback not a old one where we have to ask is this his last year after every season. To me the one thing I like about Baker Mayfield is he’s still in his 20s . If the bucs can get to the playoffs with him then snig him to a deal and keep building the defense and offensive line so we can have a good running game. I still believe that’s culture of the bucs playing physical football. Go Bucs!!!
June 10th, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Bruce Arians got the job done.
June 10th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
LOL the Baker Mayfield Emperor has no clothes. We are so effed. It’s going to be an absolute disaster tragedy.
June 10th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Good Lord just look at the legs of Wirfs! He literally is as big as a house, plus he can wrestle too!
We were so fortunate that he fell to us.
Oh I know, Jason Licht moved up a spot to grab him, but he could have waited.
Sure glad he is a Buc!
June 10th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
I’m pretty sure that picture is AI, there’s no way that many people attended a Rays game.
June 10th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
“ I rather go back to the old bucs way building a great defense again and just plug in a quarterback”
Funny you mention this, but I think that’s the path we’re on for 2023. I’m all for the QB competition, but I’m not counting on Trask or Mayfield to hit the ground running to start the season so whomever wins is going to be afforded some patience to get us going. I do think either guy with the reps and enough confidence can lead our offense to be better than 18 ppg, but I think we go as far as our defense gets us in 2023. There were 10 games last season we held teams at or below their scoring average and we won 7 of those games and don’t get me started on who played the biggest role in keeping/getting us back in games to have the 4 comebacks that Brady is still getting all the credit for w/next to no mentioning of our defense.
Best thing about Traskfield is we can crack jokes on either, but I’m not into picking sides like some of you guys. I’ve been saying since before we even signed Baker to get a competition going, and since I’m sticking to the same story-may the best man win. If it’s Baker, I’ll root for him and the same goes for Trask, but the biggest contrast between the two is what we know of Mayfield good/bad and what we don’t know about Trask good/bad. If it’s Mayfield that wins, it’s not the end for Trask because he’ll be able to observer and watch what to do/not to do as QB2. At the end, as fans we all kind of want the same thing, dubs in the win column and to heckle fans of our opposition to losing to us with either of these QBs at the helm lol
June 10th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Aaron Jacobson sounds like a little 7th grade rumor spreading girl. I really wish people would just let the chips fall where they may, and accept and support whoever wins the job.
June 10th, 2023 at 7:52 pm
This is the kind of thing a leader does. Brady did it. I have wondered why Trask hasn’t
June 10th, 2023 at 9:58 pm
I’m not sure what other commenters have already said but I’m not going to read through 50 comments right now so I’ll just say what I’m gonna say and that’s Mr. Mayfield looks to be twice as we’ll say “heavy set” as Ko! It looks like he maybe planning to get sacked a lot.
As it stands, I Don’t see Mayfield having large success scrambling. He’s too Heavy! It’ll help if his new buddy Wirfs can stop the flood of guys that want to remove Mayfields head. However, the O line gelling might not come soon enough to help.
It would probably be for the best if Mayfield became a LOT sleaker than that!
Heavier than Ko? Looks like BY FAR? He makes Ko look like a crackhead!
On the other hand I heard Trask slimmed down so that he could actually execute the plan of a Mobile QB. Trask seems to be taking his weight and the competition seriously.
I guess we will see which is the better strategy. How much is Mayfield supposed to weigh? Geez!
June 11th, 2023 at 3:41 am
So its now a populariy contest?
Geez
June 11th, 2023 at 5:26 am
@Dooley The Mark Sanchez is hilarious. I have no idea why fans are so high on Baker.