Jason Licht: Tristan Wirfs Deserves To Be Highest Paid LT
July 27th, 2024
There will be no nickel-and-dime negotiation with Tristan Wirfs.
That was the message from Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht yesterday during his visit to WDAE radio.
Wirfs is due $21 million this year (yes, $21 million), the final year of his five-year rookie contract. The Bucs had hoped to have a contract extension already done for Wirfs, but Licht sounded like a deal is imminent, or at least a sure thing.
“I’m optimistic that it hopefully will be soon,” Licht said. “I was on with WDAE talking about Antoine [Winfield earlier this year] saying, ‘Hey, the guy deserves to be highest paid [safety].’ And I would say the same thing for Tristan. So we’re working very diligently to see how we can do that, you know, so it can help both sides, as well. So it doesn’t hurt our future so we can still continue to win, but we can reward him.”
Licht also praised Wirfs’ unselfishness for reporting to camp and practicing. “I can promise you this; Tristan will be playing for the Bucs this year. He’s going to be playing for the Bucs in the distant future,” Licht said.
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July 27th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Not much debate here. He should and will be the highest paid OL in NFL history. Until the next big contract.
Pay the man.
July 27th, 2024 at 4:03 pm
I generally give Licht really good marks – but I really don’t get his lack of extending guys as early as possible. Had they done so with Winfield, they’d have saved millions a year. Wirfs will only get more expensive for every minute they don’t sign him. When you got future HOF’er talent, get them resigned on the first day you can do so, even if it seems like you’re slightly overpaying at that moment, it’s still going to be way cheaper than waiting a year or more.
July 27th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
It took most of last season for Wirfs to get used to playing LT. He should be back to All-Pro level play this season.
July 27th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Pay the man…
July 27th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
” He’z de greatest. Straight up. Pay dat maen hez money.”
July 27th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
So the Bucs are looking at a 28.1 APY MINIMUM. It’ll be interesting if it’ll be 3 4 or 5 years.
July 27th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Needs to be 5 years or more to make the dollars at 28.1+ work. You can’t do a 2-3 year deal and then escalate it more after.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Just do it.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:10 pm
Really? What? No way. I was hoping we’d bring Donovan Smith back to replace him.🤦💩 If not the highest paid tackle then one of the highest paid tackles.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Wirfs is the best offensive lineman in the NFL and he needs to be paid accordingly
July 27th, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Our LT will be making more than our QB…
I’m not sure if that is an equation that will equal a Super Bowl but I love Wirfs and he deserves to be one of the highest paid at his position.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
The hold up, i believe is the length of the contract. Players usually want shorter years with more guarantees, so they can re-up quickly for the next contract, while GMs want more years.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Was there no practice today?
What’s with that? Ray Perkins head 3-a-days with no days off, now they’re getting vacation days after 3 practices? Soft.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Wirfs is 25 years old.
Give him a 7-year deal for whatever money he wants. He’s the best offensive lineman in football, and you need to pay him that way. Why they’re holding off – I have no idea. It’s like with Winfield. Instead of signing him day one, they waited, and ended up having to pay millions more a year than they would have if they resigned him early instead of waiting until FA. I generally like Licht, but I don’t get why he does this, it just costs the team tons of cap space.
July 27th, 2024 at 5:53 pm
TRADE TRISTAN WIRFS FOR TRENT WILLIAMS!🤣
July 27th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Tony Says:
July 27th, 2024 at 5:53 pm
TRADE TRISTAN WIRFS FOR TRENT WILLIAMS!🤣
——–
There is a school of thought where you trade away guys like Wirfs. That’s what Miami did with Laremy Tunsil – and that turned them around as they turned that trade into…
WR Tyreek Hill
WR Jaylen Waddle
S Jevon Holland
CB Noah Igbinoghene
G Solomon Kindley
LB Channing Tindall
WR Erik Ezukanma
So, there is a school of thought where you take one high priced guy who is the best in the league at their position (and Tunsil was considered that at the time) and turn them into a bunch of players. Very risky, not saying the Bucs should do it, but as part of negotiations, it’s always something to keep in mind.
July 27th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Oh, the Dolphins also got Bradley Chubb and still have a 2025 fifth-round pick coming.
They blew some of the draft picks, but even with that, it’s quite the haul.
I mean if the Bucs didn’t have Godwin and Evans – would I trade Wirfs for Hill and Waddle, a starting safety and draft picks? Yeah, I would, because it wouldn’t matter who was playing LT if you had complete trash at WR who couldn’t get open (see the Panthers last year).
Thankfully the Bucs are in that spot where they don’t have to make that choice. But things like this should always be on the table. However, it won’t happen, they’ll get a deal done.
July 27th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Well there’s no question Wirfs is a huge deal to this team. He simply cannot be moved on from, he’s gonna get his money. Again though is he better than every single OT I’d say so. Only a couple guys in every year of every season that might even be able to keep up with his talent. He won’t ever get another shot at the most expensive OT or OL in the league again. I say let’s keep him around and keep him happy. Bucs fans not trying to see this guy go.
July 27th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
He’s the real deal.
Talent
Work ethic
Attitude
A real team player who just happens to be the best at his position.
$$$$$
July 27th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
@Rod Munch
I wasn’t being serious about trading him for Williams. I’d hang onto Wirfs over him for sure. Plus who knows how much longer Williams would even be playing because I think he’s like 33 now.
July 27th, 2024 at 8:09 pm
So much for Pewter Plank garbage reporting
They were talking hold out
Never happened this kid is a special talent and he’ll get paid
July 27th, 2024 at 8:23 pm
Tony Says:
July 27th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
@Rod Munch
I wasn’t being serious about trading him for Williams.
——–
Oh, I know you weren’t being serious – however, there is a case to be made for a trade if you got a huge haul. Williams obviously wouldn’t be that target. But for people always quick to dismiss things, that Miami trade was something, and took them from nobodies to one of the more exciting teams in football.
July 27th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Not having the deal done yet tells me that the Bucs have a player or two that they want to have the flexibility to sign if they become available.
July 27th, 2024 at 9:48 pm
Well there in a nutshell is it: “So we’re working very diligently to see how we can do that, you know, so it can help both sides, as well.” Taadaa… he will be handsomely rewarded, as will the bucs. That quote was code to the media types for… “we are very close.”
July 27th, 2024 at 9:51 pm
Jason is sending the perfect message to the team. You ball out, we pay you.
July 27th, 2024 at 10:04 pm
Have faith in Licht. Have faith in Wirfs. This situation will be resolved soon.
Go Bucs!!!
July 28th, 2024 at 9:47 am
Licht needs to call John Lynch and tell him to sign Williams fast so we can get our deal done with Tristian.
July 28th, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I’m betting it’s over length. Tristan wants to hit another big contract before he turns 30 but Jason wants him locked in
July 28th, 2024 at 2:36 pm
@Rod Munch
That’s why I wish they’d either hang onto all their draft picks or stock up on draft picks because not only is it good for depth you can get a good player in any round. Brady is pretty much the best example. Don’t trade your draft picks away because then you can’t build the team. Especially if the Glazers don’t want to spend $$$$ of course.